Aptar Pharma, a leading drug delivery systems provider, is pleased to announce that its innovative, preservative-free multidose Ophthalmic Squeeze Dispenser has been approved for Santen’s prescription drug Taflotan® /Saflutan® for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in 26 countries in Europe.

This approval reconfirms the market-leading position of Aptar Pharma’s Ophthalmic Squeeze Dispenser as an approved delivery system for eye disease treatment formulations without any preservatives.

Meeting the needs of patients

Aptar Pharma is working closely with leading global ophthalmology specialist Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to improve patient safety, achieve dosing accuracy and maintain product integrity. Santen is a specialized global pharmaceutical company dedicated to the ophthalmology field, and is spearheading the development and marketing of preservative-free drugs as part of its mission to contribute to the well-being of patients, their loved ones and society.

"We are delighted to launch preservative-free multi-dose formulations of these glaucoma therapies in Europe,” said Luis Iglesias, Corporate Officer and Head of EMEA, Santen. “By providing highly effective and well-tolerated, preservative-free medicines, with the option for multi-dose bottles, we hope to empower patients in their daily lives and improve the management of their condition.”

Chemical preservatives are often used in eye drops to ensure sterility of the drops in multidose bottles. When used in short-term treatments, they are mostly well-tolerated. For long-term use, such as in chronic conditions that include dry eye and glaucoma, preservative-free products are preferred. Preservatives have been known to cause signs and symptoms of irritation, allergy and ocular surface toxicity. Glaucoma patients use eye drops on a regular basis, and often for the rest of their lives.

Approval

BfArM, the German Regulatory Agency, approved Santen’s prescription drug Taflotan® /Saflutan® in the preservative-free multidose Ophthalmic Squeeze Dispenser in Germany as a first country in February 2017. Prior to this approval, Santen provided comprehensive and detailed microbiological study results as requested by BfArM.

These showed that microorganisms can neither survive nor form colonies in or on the container. The European registration process for several additional European countries ended positively and consequently national marketing authorizations have been granted based on the European harmonized evaluation.

In addition, Santen performed usability studies that confirmed the user-friendliness of the multidose dispenser with glaucoma patients.

Making ophthalmic solutions easier and safer to deliver

Aptar Pharma’s Ophthalmic Squeeze Dispenser system is the result of more than 10 years of development and experience in the delivery of preservative-free ophthalmic solutions. Patients and consumers in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia have benefited from this technology since 2012, with more than 175 commercial references now available on the market.

“Our Ophthalmic Dispenser technology has been a great success for our customers,” explained Matthias Birkhoff, VP Business Development, Aptar Pharma. “The proven and unrivalled microbiological safety, combined with a precise and reproducible drop ejection, allows pharmaceutical customers worldwide to enter into discussions with regulatory agencies such as the German BfArM with confidence.”

Mr. Birkhoff also points out the user- friendliness of the system, adding “The ergonomic, pocket-size design and the intuitiveness of a squeezable container with a low actuation force certainly contribute to the high levels of acceptance among patients and consumers worldwide.”

Staying ahead of the market

Aptar Pharma's Ophthalmic Squeeze Dispenser provides a unique competitive advantage by addressing the worldwide trend towards patient-friendly, cost-effective and preservative-free multidose dispensers.