Patient medicines
On this page, you will find information on patient eye care medications, including useful advice on how to put in your eye drops, and where to go to get your medications.
Update on medication shortages: August 2023
There are currently UK-wide shortages of some eye medications.
Our pharmacy team is receiving an increased number of calls and emails from patients as a result of these shortages, which we are unable to respond to. We are communicating with patients via our website, advising them to ask their local pharmacy about alternative options.Please direct patients to their local pharmacy and not to Moorfields.
The following table lists affected stock, timescales for resolution, and suggests temporary alternatives.
Please note, if the medication is not listed in the table – there is not a shortage.
Please be aware that at present there are very limited/no UK supplies of pilocarpine 2% and 4% eye drops, Diamox SR® 250mg Prolonged-release Capsules, Iopidine 0.5%, and Eythalm.
There are intermittent supply problems with Ikervis® and Verkazia®
|
Product out of stock |
Due back date |
|
Pilocarpine 2 and 4% eye drops |
End of September |
|
Diamox SR® 250mg Prolonged-release Capsules |
Mid-September 2023 |
|
Apraclonidine 0.5% eye drops - Iopidine® |
Mid-September 2023 |
|
Eythalm® - Dexamethasone 0.1% multidose preservative free eye drops |
Unknown Other preservative free brands available |
|
Ikervis® and Verkazia®
|
Intermittent supply problems |
Where to request your mediMoorfields may provide you with some eye medication when you attend one of our clinics for an appointment or for urgent care.
Any follow up medicines, or repeat prescriptions should be requested via your GP or local pharmacist, however. Please do not call Moorfields for repeat prescritpions as we will not be able to process these for you.
Nurse-led line
Please note, our nurse-led helpline should not be used to request repeart prescriptions, or to ask advice on medication. We are receiving a high volume of calls to this line from patients with medicine queries, which is delaying care to patients who need important after care guidance, following treatment at our clinics. If you have any queries about your eye care medication, please speak to your local pharmacist.
Know Your Drops
For eye conditions, such as Glaucoma, it is vital for you to keep up with your eye drops to help you manage the condition.
Please watch our short video for tips on how to correctly administer any drops you may be required to use.