It is a shame that your recent article on compounded ophthalmic drugs [ Compounded Drugs: Keeping Patients Safe, March 2014] discussed only one of these drugs, intravitreal bevacizumab. Ophthalmologists rely on pharmacy compounding for a wide array of topical and intravitreal medications such as fortified antibiotics and mitomycin C. Pharmacy compounding also plays an important role in clinical research.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society and American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus have published statements reminding lawmakers that compounding pharmacies supply essential ophthalmic medicines to patients. Few if any of these medicines have involved the kinds of risks publicized for intravitreal bevacizumab.
Sincerely,
Michael S. Singer, MD, PhD
Topokine Therapeutics, Inc
Boston, MA 02111
