NEW YORK — Fera Pharmaceuticals has rolled out Puralube ophthalmic ointment for retail distribution.
Fera said Thursday that Puralube, a preservative-free ophthalmic ointment, has been relied upon by patients and health care professionals for years to relieve the symptoms of dry eye. When the original manufacturer of Puralube discontinued the product, Fera was inundated with requests to bring the product back, according to the company.
"Puralube is a product that fits perfectly with our eye care portfolio," Frank DellaFera, president of Fera Pharmaceuticals, said in a statement. "We are so pleased to make Puralube available again, giving patients, pharmacists and physicians a cost-effective and reliable treatment option for dry eye symptoms."
Fera is launching Puralube in a 3.5g tube as well as a carton of 20 1g tubes. It will be available through retail, wholesale and mail-order pharmacies.
The company reported that dry eye currently affects almost 21 million Americans, but only 2.5 million patients are actually being treated for it, according to experts. If not treated properly, the condition can lead to serious eye problems, Fera said.
