Fera shipping erythromycin, bacitracin ointments

New York

-Fera Pharmaceuticals is now shipping erythromycin and bacitracin ophthalmic ointments.

“Fera has made the completion of erythromycin 1 g manufacturing transfer a priority, responding to the market shortage. We are genuinely pleased to be able to help hospitals provide the standard of care they demand,” said Frank DellaFera, president of the company. The company expects to have available the 3.5-g tube size in single and carton sizes soon.

Fera is making bacitracin available through wholesalers and chain, independent, and hospital pharmacies.
 In July, the company acquired all rights and title to seven prescription sterile anti-infective ophthalmic ointment abbreviated new drug applications marketed by Fougera, a division of Nycomed US Inc., including erythromycin and bacitracin. Product supply has been an issue since then, because the previous owner had discontinued manufacture of bacitracin and only a limited quantity was made available during the transition to Fera, according to the company.

“The company has been diligently working to transfer manufacturing of these products in order to meet market demand for these important sterile anti-infective ointments,” said DellaFera.

The manufacturing transfer for the balance of the line-including bacitracin zinc and polymixin B sulfate; gentamicin sulfate, neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates, and bacitracin zinc; neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone; neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates, bacitracin zinc, and hydrocortisone acetate-is under way. Fera expects them to be available later this year.