New product to be aware of (potential risk of dispensing errors)

[wwjd_andy]

Pantoprazole 20mg OTC is now available. Competition for the EQUIPOTENT omeprazole 10mg 4.
--> Reference re potenct: MeReC Briefing 32: Feb 2006.

[roper]

has anyone actually sold OTC omeprazole (or simvastatin even?) Since hardly anyone seems to pay for scripts I expect them all to go to the GP. I also don't expect to see much Flomax relief once we tell them that they still need a GP to confirm diagnosis and they could get the GP to put tamsulosin on a repeat script while they are there!

[ScrabbleGirl]

I think the most important thing is that the strengths are clearly differentiated via the packaging. Standard Lumigan comes in a white box so the new strength should come in a pale blue, green or red box, for example. I've no idea what colour Allergan have actually chosen, has anyone seen the new strength yet? If they've made it look exactly like the old strength I will not be impressed.

0.3 mg/ml is less unwieldy than 0.03%.

We had a first script for this today - the box is also white but has a colour (pale green/blue, I think) stripe across the top with the strength stated on it. It's reasonably easy to tell the difference (then again, I was paying special attention to it as it's a new item) but I'm sure they could have made it far clearer - ie an entirely different colour box!

[Pharmanaut]

Not seen the box but it would be nice to see the strength in large letters both in mg/ml (or mcg/ml) and percentage.
Nice bold black type, not washed out grey.

[planetpf]

I favour name change such as lumigan LS (Low Strength), as well as different coloured boxes etc. Otherwise a new prescription presented to someone unaware of a new strength is a disaster waiting to happen.

[Pharmanaut]

I favour name change such as lumigan LS (Low Strength), as well as different coloured boxes etc. Otherwise a new prescription presented to someone unaware of a new strength is a disaster waiting to happen.

Good suggestion about the LS.

<soapbox on>
Im not too concerned about colour differences as long as it is written in a good font in a proper size.
Manufacturers livery can and does change over the years (just look around the shelves)
Graphic effects should not be used in product names, washed out fonts etc are great in their place, but are too low contrast on drug packaging.
<soapbox off>
Lets think of everyone who's life may depend on someone selecting the right box - including the patient themselves.

[tinx25388]

And despite the warnings (and the fact it has been around for over a year) I made that mistake - found out about it today when the Care Home phoned to querey the strength. I am really annoyed with myself as I am normally so cautious about the strengths of Lumigan!

[orangiey]

After working in Pharmacy for over 20 years U've just discovered there are 2 pack sizes of Locortem Vioform ear drops!! Keep on learning.......just need to figure out how to book it out right and get the label correct too!

[orangiey]

Have you seen the price!?