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

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.