Orasis Pharmaceuticals announced that Qlosi (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) 0.4%, a novel, corrective prescription eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia, or age-related blurry near vision, in adults is now available to prescribe in the United States.
Qlosi’s proprietary EyeQ Formulation maximizes efficacy while minimizing side effects by balancing the lowest approved concentration of pilocarpine at a near neutral pH for optimal bioavailability. It is preservative-free in single-use vials, and includes lubricants (HA & HPMC) for comfort, the company said in a press release. Patients have the flexibility of using 1 drop of Qlosi in each eye for improved near vision for a specific occasion or activity, and up to 2 drops per day for an extended effect, lasting up to 8 hours.
“We are proud to deliver Qlosi, a solution that ushers in a new era in near vision correction and aims to empower patients, providing Qlosi Clear Moments through improved near vision,” said Elad Kedar, chief executive officer of Orasis Pharmaceuticals, in the press release. “Our goal has always been to improve near vision for the millions of people struggling with presbyopia, give them a break from readers, and provide eyecare professionals with an additional option to optimize care for their patients.”
Qlosi was shown to improve near vision by pupil modulation, resulting in a “pinhole effect” and an increase in the depth of field, increasing the ability to focus on near objects with no mean impact on distance vision, the company said. The US Food and Drug Administration approval of Qlosi was based on results from the phase 3 NEAR-1 and NEAR-2 clinical trials which met their primary and key secondary endpoints on Day 8.
According to Orasis Pharmaceuticals, patients can fill prescriptions via 2 pharmacy partners, BlinkRx and Medvantx, and receive free home delivery. Qlosi is available in single-use vials that can be taken on-the-go.
For more information about Qlosi and Full Prescribing Information, visit www.QlosiECP.com, which includes resources for patients and eyecare professionals on how to use Qlosi and the Qlosi Clear Start Kit that patients will receive with their first prescription. The Clear Start Kit will provide guidance on starting Qlosi twice a day for the first week and how to use it for occasional days or long-term to help patients achieve their best near vision, the company said in the press release.