Amorolfine nail lacquer makes switch to P medicine
Christopher Icha
Lacquer is applied to the affected nails |
Amorolfine 5 per cent nail lacquer has this week been launched as a pharmacy medicine. Marketed as Curanail by Galderma, the product becomes the first once-weekly over-the-counter treatment for fungal nail infection (onychomycosis).
Customers who come into the pharmacy with onychomycosis can now be reviewed
and treated by a pharmacist. The pharmacy medicine is indicated for use
by patients over 18 years with mild cases of distal and lateral subungual
onychomycosis affecting up to two nails. Patients with more severe disease
and the involvement of more than two nails should be referred to their
GP. Children, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and patients with
certain underlying conditions also need to be referred.
The lacquer is applied to the affected nails once a week until the fungal
areas have cleared and the healthy nail has regenerated — a process
that can take around six months for fingernails and nine to 12 months
for toenails.
Kamal Abbasi, marketing manager at Galderma, told The Journal that there
was mostly a positive response to the switch during the Medicines and
Healthcare products Regulatory Agency consultation. He said that the
main concern raised was about how pharmacists could ensure an accurate
diagnosis of infection. “The questions were primarily focused on
diagnosis and training … but there is the full support of dermatologists
and podiatrists,” he added.
Christie Wicks, Galderma’s training and development manager, said: “In
the past, patients have needed to take the time to go to a GP, but won’t,
either because of embarrassment or because they didn’t think it
was serious enough to warrant the time of a GP appointment.”
According to Galderma, Curanail has the advantage of once-weekly application
through its formulation, which, when applied and the lacquer has dried,
leaves a 25 per cent-strength, non-water soluble film on the nail surface
for one week. “There are no known drug interactions and because
it is topically applied … there is minimal systemic absorption and
the potential for side effects is decreased,” said Ms Wicks.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has published practice guidance (PDF 90K) to assist pharmacists in selling the product. Sadia Khan, the Society’s
lead pharmacist for self care, commented: “Making
amorolfine nail lacquer available without a prescription is a safe, effective
and convenient route to treatment for customers presenting with mild
cases of suspected fungal nail infection.”
A pharmacist training pack has also been produced by the company and
accredited by the College of Pharmacy Practice.
Training packs are being sent out to all pharmacies in the coming weeks,
ahead of the product hitting pharmacy shelves.
Notice-board p589
CPD p597 |
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