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Novel methods of glaucoma drug delivery still years away
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 Gary D. Novack |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Ophthalmologists should not expect a new drug delivery system for ocular hypertensive treatment for at least 4 years, Gary D. Novack, PhD, said here. A neuroprotection treatment is likely even further off, he said.
Novack, speaking at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, based his prediction on the lack of any such product currently in a phase 3 trial combined with the time such trials take conducting tasks such as preparation, registration and other factors.
The drugs that do exist to manage glaucoma tend to fall short in various ways, Novack said.
"What's wrong with eye drops? Well, they're inefficient, you're giving a large volume in a small space [and] it requires the patient to both perform and comply," he said. Oral dosages, meanwhile, treat the whole body instead of just the eye, he said.
Until a new delivery system becomes available in 4 years or more, Dr. Novack suggested doctors should help convince health care payers that better drug delivery systems capable of improving patient compliance are a worthwhile investment.
"If they're not, the investors are going to figure out it's not worth investing in these if they cannot get a premium price," he said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Novack is a consultant/advisor with Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Alcon Laboratories, Allergan, Altheos and Glaukos. He has equity ownership in Inspire Pharmaceuticals.