[Ocular drug films: problems and perspectives]

Fifteen such films created at two Moscow Institutes were allowed for use after clinical trials by the Pharmacologic Committee of the USSR Ministry of Health. Two principal advantages of ocular medicinal films as against ocular drops and ointments are prolonged action of the drugs and accurate dosage of the drug. Application of films may replace subconjunctival instillations in a number of cases. The film completely dissolves in the conjunctival sac, thus providing the daily dose of the drug. Therefore the film may be applied once a day and only in grave cases twice. A packed film retains its activity and sterility for 12-14 months. Unfortunately commercial films do not always meet the medicinal requirements. Noteworthy that individual intolerance of some film brands varies within 0.1 to 8.03%, and that there are certain contraindications against the use of these films. Ocular medicinal films is an intensive care dosage form that may be manipulated only by specially trained personnel. Of course the films cannot absolutely replace other forms of drug administration. Further research is necessary, aimed at improvement of the tolerance of films, creation of films for children, and commercial manufacture of the drugs that were found the most effective and were best of all tolerated, as well at training of personnel.