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Sirks MJ, Subhi Y, Rosenberg N, Hollak CEM, Boon CJF, Diederen RMH, Yzer S, Ossewaarde-van Norel J, de Jong-Hesse Y, Schlingemann RO, Moss RJ, van Dijk EHC. Perspectives and Update on the Global Shortage of Verteporfin (Visudyne ®). Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:1821-1831. [PMID: 38753294 PMCID: PMC11178716 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-024-00952-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
An ongoing global shortage of verteporfin (Visudyne®) limits the treatment possibilities for several chorioretinal diseases, including central serous chorioretinopathy, choroidal hemangioma, and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Verteporfin is required to perform photodynamic therapy in these ocular diseases. Therefore, the current situation has a substantial impact on eye care worldwide. The worldwide supply of verteporfin appears to be manufactured by a single factory, which is situated in the United States. The distribution of verteporfin is done by different companies for different regions of the world. Official communication on the shortage by the responsible companies has been scarce and over the past years several promises with regards to resolution of the shortage have not been fulfilled. The delivery of new batches of verteporfin is at irregular intervals, unpredictable, and may not be fairly balanced between different regions or countries in the world. To ensure a fair distribution of available verteporfin within a country, several measures can be taken. In the Netherlands, a national committee, consisting of ophthalmologists, is in place to arrange this. On the European level, the European Union and European Medicine Agency have plans to monitor medicine shortages more closely and to intervene if necessary. With a more intensified monitoring and regulation of medicine supplies, future impending shortages may be prevented. Remarkably, the amount of medicine shortages is increasing, having a significant and sometimes irreversible impact on patient care. Thus, efforts should be undertaken to minimize the consequences and, whenever possible, to prevent future medicine shortages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc J Sirks
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yousif Subhi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Noa Rosenberg
- Medicine for Society, Platform at Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carla E M Hollak
- Medicine for Society, Platform at Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Sphinx, Amsterdam Lysosome Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel J F Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roselie M H Diederen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Yzer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Yvonne de Jong-Hesse
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Reinier O Schlingemann
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ocular Angiogenesis Group, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile Des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rob J Moss
- Dutch National Medication Coordination Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elon H C van Dijk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands.
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Mark J, Subhi Y. Blinded by Stress: A Patient and Physician Perspective on Central Serous Chorioretinopathy. Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:861-866. [PMID: 38386185 PMCID: PMC10912400 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-024-00907-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This commentary is co-authored by a patient with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), which is the fourth most common exudative maculopathy. The patient, a young and profiled member of the Danish Parliament, kindly shares his experience living with stress, onset of symptoms, and the experience of being diagnosed with CSC and receiving photodynamic treatment. The experiences of the patient are put into perspective by an ophthalmologist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Mark
- Patient Author, Christiansborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yousif Subhi
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 19.3, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark.
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