24 May 2021

College releases position statement on the use of chloramphenicol in paediatric populations

Children Policy

The College has reviewed the evidence on the potential risks of using chloramphenicol POM eye drops for children less than 2 years old.

The College previously alerted members (12/04/21) after becoming aware of a change in posology in the summary of product characteristics (SPC) by some manufacturers for the prescription-only medicine (POM) form of chloramphenicol eye drops. These manufacturers have added the following contraindication:

“This medicinal product must not be given to a child less than 2 years old as it contains boron and may impair fertility in the future.”

Having reviewed the evidence and a recent statement by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, we do not believe that chloramphenicol POM eye drops pose a direct risk for the indicated use in children if used to its product license. 

Read the full position statement from the College, including the points considered, here.

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