BID bromfenac discontinued

Irvine, CA-A once-daily formulation of bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% (Bromday, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) has been adopted quickly, so the twice-daily formulation (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) will be discontinued, according to the company. The prescription eye drop, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is designed to treat postoperative inflammation and reduce ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract extraction.

The company no longer will supply the twice-daily formulation to pharmaceutical wholesalers after Feb. 28. For 2 to 3 weeks afterward, a limited supply of the twice-daily formulation will be available at wholesalers and pharmacies to fill remaining prescriptions. The company anticipates that wholesalers will continue to sell the twice-daily formulation to pharmacies until inventory is depleted.

The company launched the once-daily formulation in November, the month after it received 3 years of marketing exclusivity from the FDA. As of the fall, it was the most prescribed branded ocular NSAID in the United States for use following cataract surgery, according to data from IMS Health, a provider of market intelligence to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

“The transition to [once-daily bromfenac] has been swift,” said Vicente Anido, Jr., PhD, president and chief executive officer of ISTA Pharmaceuticals. “As of the last week in January, 46% of the [twice-daily bromfenac] new prescriptions have been converted over to [the once-daily formulation], according to weekly prescription data supplied by IMS.”