Santen launches Taptiqom preservative-free fixed combination eye drops in UK

Taptiqom is a preservative-free eye drop solution (in single dose containers) of a fixed dose combination of the prostaglandin analogue tafluprost (15 micrograms/ml) and the beta-blocker timolol (5 mg/ml).

Taptiqom is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure in adult patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are insufficiently responsive to topical monotherapy with beta-blockers or prostaglandin analogues and require a combination therapy, and who would benefit from preservative-free eye drops.

The European Glaucoma Society 2014 guidelines state that when selecting glaucoma therapy, consideration should be given not only to IOP lowering but also to tolerability, adherence and cost.2 The guidelines also highlight that the chronic use of medications containing preservatives may cause or exacerbate ocular surface disease.

As a result, for patients who are insufficiently responsive to topical monotherapy with prostaglandin analogues or beta-blockers and require combination therapy, Taptiqom now offers the next step for preservative-free power because it delivers powerful IOP-lowering efficacy and has good ocular tolerability which supports patient adherence to therapy:

• Taptiqom delivers powerful IOP-lowering reductions of up to 40% vs baseline: Taptiqom delivered IOP-lowering reductions of between 28% and 40% dependent on baseline at 3 months in two Phase-III studies (n=484).3 In addition, a recent review demonstrated that Taptiqom delivers IOP reductions similar to other prostaglandin analogue + beta-blocker fixed combinations vs baseline at month 3.
• Taptiqom is well tolerated, with a low level of hyperaemia (7%):1 The frequency of conjunctival / ocular hyperaemia reported as a Taptiqom treatment-related adverse event in clinical studies was low (7% of patients).1 Taptiqom treatment-related hyperaemia was mild in most cases and was associated with discontinuation of therapy in 1.2% of patients.
• Taptiqom is administered as one preservative-free drop once-daily.
• Taptiqom is competitively priced at £14.50 for 30 days’ supply (NHS list price), enabling patients to benefit from preservative-free power.

Craig Wallace, Santen General Manager UK & Ireland said, "A large percentage of patients with glaucoma have concomitant ocular surface disease and many glaucoma medications may cause or exacerbate this condition. In particular, hyperaemia is a common side effect of anti-glaucoma therapy and is a major reason for patients discontinuing treatment with prostaglandin analogues. The launch of preservative-free Taptiqom in the UK is important, as ophthalmology healthcare professionals and their glaucoma patients now have access to an effective glaucoma medication that has a low rate of hyperaemia and is competitively priced. Taptiqom supports key patient goals of IOP-lowering efficacy, good tolerability profile and adherence to therapy and therefore enables patients to benefit from their preservative-free medication day after day."

He added, "The launch of Taptiqom in the UK builds on Santen’s commitment to provide ophthalmologists with innovative products for unmet medical needs to improve patients’ quality of life. Taptiqom complements Santen’s existing range of preservative-free ophthalmic medications, a result of the imminent Marketing Authorisation transfer of MSD’s glaucoma franchise to Santen, including Saflutan preservative-free, Trusopt preservative-free, Cosopt preservative-free and Timoptol preservative-free."