AOA exploring phenylephrine hydrochloride price spike

Earlier this month, AOA contacted top U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials regarding dramatic upward changes in the cost of phenylephrine hydrochloride 2.5 percent and 10 percent. AOA is seeking doctors’ assistance with this inquiry.

Although AOA believes that new added costs associated with phenylephrine hydrochloride 2.5 percent and 10 percent might be the result of developer attempts to recoup upfront costs at an accelerated pace, AOA is seeking further information from doctors of optometry who are seeing shortages or price spikes. It may be that the price increases are due, in part, to the FDA regulatory framework. Please contact AOA Chief Public Health Officer Michael Duenas, O.D., if you have information or any other questions on this matter.  

AOA anticipates further guidance from the FDA in the near future.