In order to demonstrate the applicability of our method we have selected a therapeutic drug category that we thought to have higher patient safety risk when purchased outside the closed drug supply chain. Their compromised quality, inappropriate use or misuse may lead to local or systemic health consequences (Kadri et al., 2010 , Morales et al., 2016 (link), Vaajanen and Vapaatalo, 2017 (link), Gao et al., 2018 (link)).
Ten commonly used eye drops available in community pharmacies throughout Hungary were selected as model products to illustrate the tool. Various medications, including prescription-only and over-the-counter products and eye drops with supply disruptions were included in our study sample. The characteristics of the selected products were also diverse, including eye drops used in the treatment of glaucoma, allergy, infection, or used for diagnostic procedures (mydriasis). The selected products are highlighted inTable 1 .
Ten commonly used eye drops available in community pharmacies throughout Hungary were selected as model products to illustrate the tool. Various medications, including prescription-only and over-the-counter products and eye drops with supply disruptions were included in our study sample. The characteristics of the selected products were also diverse, including eye drops used in the treatment of glaucoma, allergy, infection, or used for diagnostic procedures (mydriasis). The selected products are highlighted in
The brand name and active ingredients of the ten selected eye drops.
Product brand name (Hungarian) | Active pharmaceutical ingredient |
---|---|
BETOPTIC 5 mg/ml (eye drop) | Betaxolol |
AZOPT 10 mg/ml (suspension eye drop) | Brinzolamide |
CILOXAN 3 mg/ml (eye and ear drop) | Ciprofloxacin |
ALLEOPTI 20 mg/ml (eye drop) | Sodium cromoglicate |
HUMAPENT 5 mg/ml (eye drop) | Cyclopentolate |
SPERSALLERG 0.5 mg/ml + 0.4 mg/ml (eye drop) | Antazoline & tetryzoline |
VISINE CLASSIC 0.5 mg/ml (eye drop) | Tetryzoline |
COSOPT UNO 20 mg/ml + 5 mg/ml (single dose eye drop) | Dorzolamide & timolol |
XALACOM 0.05 mg/ml + 5 mg/ml (eye drop) | Latanoprost & timolol |
TRAVATAN 40 µg/ml (eye drop) | Travoprost |