Our pharmacies will generally supply full quantities of short-term courses e.g. discharge medications following cataract surgery or antibiotics prescribed during an A&E visit.
For medicines intended for long term use e.g. glaucoma drops or long-term steroid treatment for ocular inflammation, we will dispense patients with at least 2-4 weeks supply of newly prescribed medications or where there have been significant changes in dose.
As per NHS England guidance, GPs will continue to prescribe long term treatments for patients to collect from their community pharmacy. The only exceptions will be specialist medications which are only available in hospital, or those which have significant monitoring requirements such as immunosuppressants, which Moorfields will supply through regular clinic visits. GPs will receive information from the prescriber as to which medicines are to continue, along with clinical information regarding the patient’s condition.
Any queries regarding treatment should be directed to the original prescriber or Consultant (contactable via their secretary).
For product shortages / availability, please see our medicines shortages section. We liaise with clinical staff to provide information about suitable alternatives.
Medicine | Date expected back in stock | Alternatives | Additional information |
Fixapost (Latanoprost + Timolol) single use eye drops | End of July 2026 | Vizilatan Duo (Latanoprost + Timolol preservative free 2.5ml bottles) | Manufacturing delay |
Apraclonidine (Iopidine®) 5mg/mL (0.5%) eye drops – DISCONTINUED
Reference Number: MSN/2025/118
Essential Pharma have discontinued Apraclonidine (Iopidine) 0.5% Eye Drops.
Brimonidine 0.2% Eye Drops remain available and can support increased demand.
For patients who are allergic to preservatives, cannot tolerate or are unresponsive to Brimonidine eye drops, and for paediatric patients, Apraclonidine 1% preservative free single dose eye drops remain available and can support increased demand.
Additional information
Apraclonidine (Iopidine®) 5mg/mL (0.5%) eye drops
Apraclonidine (Iopidine®) 5mg/mL (0.5%) eye drops have been discontinued.
Moorfields Pharmacy stores have a very limited amount of stock remaining across all sites which will be prioritised for supply to paediatric patients.
Immediate action required:
Do not initiate any new patient on Apraclonidine 5mg/mL (0.5%) eye drops.
Alternatives for Adult Patients:
New patients – prescribe Brimonidine 0.2% eye drops (usual dose BD).
For patients already taking Apraclonidine 0.5% eye drops, switch to Brimonidine 0.2% eye drops if suitable.
For patients who do not tolerate or are allergic / unresponsive to brimonidine eye drops, who have a true allergy to preservatives in eye drops, or where drugs from other classes are ineffective or at maximal tolerated doses, prescribe Apraclonidine preservative free 1% eye drops.
Alternatives for Paediatric Patients:
New patients – Prescribe Apraclonidine preservative free 1% eye drops.
For patients already taking Apraclonidine 0.5% eye drops, and who are on maximally tolerated treatment with drugs from other classes, switch to Apraclonidine preservative free 1% eye drops.
Last updated: June 2026