Merck Sharp & Dohme Launches SAFLUTAN In International Market

Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) has launched SAFLUTAN (tafluprost) in the UK and Spain. Additional launches in other countries are expected over the next several months, pending regulatory approvals.

Tafluprost, the first preservative-free ophthalmic prostaglandin, is licensed in the launch markets for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in appropriate patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Tafluprost is a synthetic analogue of the prostaglandin F2a, and may offer benefits for patients with glaucoma. It includes patients who experience certain adverse reactions associated with eye drops that contain preservatives like those having dry/sensitive eyes or chronic eye diseases. Tafluprost may be used as monotherapy in patients who would benefit from preservative free eye drops, are insufficiently responsive to first line therapy, or are intolerant or contraindicated to first line therapy. It may be used as adjunctive therapy to beta-blockers. The recommended dose is one drop of tafluprost in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening.

Vlad Hogenhuis, senior vice president of neuroscience and ophthalmics of Merck & Co., said: “MSD is pleased that we are now able to begin supplying SAFLUTAN in approved markets to continue the long standing commitment of Merck to ophthalmology and the patients who suffer from ophthalmic diseases worldwide.