Shortage of Lacrisert (hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic insert)

[Coop14]

Yes i keep expecting them to say that’s it, but they are staying firmly on the “it will be back” line. I’ve used them for over thirty years and there is nothing as good in my situation. I guess we van only wait and see and use whatever works, even if not as good, in the meantime. For me it is n-acetylcysteine drops three times a day and bion tears, as needed between. Often pitiing drops in 10-12 times a day but i can survive. I have tried so many options, including autologous drops so this is it for me unless we can get the Lacriserts backs. They truly are a miracle for those with severe problems.

[Rebecca Petris]

Yikes! I am so very sorry to hear this. Losing the contract manufacturer is a really big blow. Honestly I would be very surprised if Bausch will continue to support this product under the circumstances. It's already been passed around from company to company over the years.

[Coop14]

Sadly i have been told that Lacriserts will not be available again until 4Q 2023. Yes I did mean 2023. They were being produced by a 3rd party for Bausch. This 3rd party had failures in manufacturing equipment and has now decided to walk away when their contract ends at the end of this month. I believe Bausch was hoping they would extend and fill back orders by 2Q 2022 but they have walked. I am guessing 4Q 2023 is because another company now has to tool up to create this product. I seriously find it a miracle product and am in trouble without it with filamentary keratosis a real issue on top of the inflammation and severe dry eye problems of Sjogrens Syndrome. I too cannot figure out why something made from cellulose is so difficult to keep on the market when it works so well. I think the answer is simply money. bausch cares more for profit than supporting people who need this product as there are simply too few of us to make it profitable.

[Mariez]

So it is December 12, 2021. Lacrisert is out of stock again. This product has suffered from chronic out of stocks over the years. I do not understand what it is so scarce and expensive. Call Bausch & Lomb and request that they find a way to manufacture it. It's just cellulose. Someone needs to develop an over the counter product and put it next to the eye drops in the retail aisle. And yes you can cut it in half to make it last. I use a razor blade. My doctor also prescribed an erythromycin ophthalmic ointment which I use at night if my eyes are dry and burning. It is available as a generic and is not expensive. Also, Norwegian cod liver oil has had a profound effect on my dry eyes. One tablespoon per day. I buy the liquid because I have trouble swallowing the gel caps.

[Coop14]

Hi a small group of us have been contacting Bausch and asking questions. It seems the 3rd party who manufactures them on their behalf has had equipment issues and several trials of replacement equipment have failed. No date for even a new trial and no supply expected until at least 2022. I was cutting mine in 1/3rds but am now using a compounded product acetylcysteine along with lubricating drops, Bion Tears, and that is getting me through though not as comfortable as Lacriserts. They tried me with autologous drops, (made from my own blood) but they didn’t work and i ended up with a horrible case of filamentary keratosis which the new drops have resolved. So frustrating when you know the perfect solution is there but is not available. Good luck.

[CadyRandy]

I was lucky enough to have a 90 day supply filled in July! My hopes have been dashed in the past week since the refill was delayed once again for back order issues. I am cutting them in half and hoping the backorder will go away. I have no tear ducts so this is really the only viable drug that works for me - since the 80s! If you have any contacts that you have been asking for help in pressing the issue, let me know!

[Coop14]

Hi i am wondering how everyone is cooing with the current lack of Lacriserts due to production issues? What alternatives are working? I am also working with a couple of other people trying to gently push B & L to get production going again. Would be great to have a larger group involved.

[wenmyster]

Gonna have to ask my optometrist about this one and see if she can write me a rx. Am I the only one who thinks it's absolutely insane in 2020 and how frequent MGD is as the cause of dry eyes that they haven't yet invented a OIL release object that you can put into the eye like lacrisert to produce what our meibomian glands can't?!

[Rebecca Petris]

Yes, it's prescription only

[wenmyster]

That's great news! Sorry this may be a basic question but I am new to Lacrisert: will I need to go through my eye doctor to get a rx for this medication? Thanks

[Rebecca Petris]

YES! I just called them. So excited. They released a shipment on 11/13 and are encouraging people to contact their pharmacies to find out when they'll have it. They emphasized that it is a 'limited supply' but that they expect to be fully stocked in early 2021.

This is such a relief.

[wenmyster]

Any updates on the supply?

[Rebecca Petris]

I have spoken with B&L several times lately and they went from saying 4Q to saying December. At this point I'm pretty concerned about the date slippage. We've been through this before with other things. They were pretty emphatic about not discontinuing it, but these companies don't tend to give the latest information to the customer service people.

I called B&L today. They expect Lacrisert to be back in stock by the end of December, 2020.

Hello, I am new to this forum but not to Lacrisert as I've been using this drug for 30+ years with fantastic results, and what I can only describe as a life-changing Rx that saved my vision. During my usage, there have been several manufacturers and shortages, throughout the decades. Unfortunately, I suspect it is a rare drug and not properly marketed to those who could benefit.

Re the current shortage, I am keeping track of release ETA via U.S. FDA website (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov) where you can type in Lacrisert for an update. I called B&L several months ago and was told release was expected earlier than Q4, but see today (10/1/2020) and update was made that shows a release no earlier than Dec 2020. I plan to call tomorrow and speak with B&L again to clarify this.

My local pharmacies are also out of stock. I am cutting the inserts into 1/4 at this point, stretching what I have for as long as possible. Thank you, Rojzen. I plan to pursue the Canadian option sooner rather than later. As well, it is time for me, personally, to contact Senior Management at B&L to stress the importance of this drug to those of us who rely upon it for quality of life and vision. With all else happening in the world today, most organizations of its size are implementing workarounds and by now, have streamlined production to catch up with pent-up demand and shortages.

Meanwhile, phone calls/emails/etc to B&L, your eye doc, leading eye institutes, politicians, etc can only help keep this very serious problem front and center. There must be a B&L database of regular-use patients that qualify for emergency distribution of this drug and a centralized distribution facility that can replace a pharmacy until the critical shortage is passed. I will be addressing this with B&L, and other concerns I have.

Stay healthy, and thank you for sharing eye comforting alternatives that work for you during this crisis, as I'm sure it will benefit us all.