Inflammation and generic pharmaceuticals
Interestingly, there were significant differences between
U.S. and non-U.S. doctors on their use of anti-inflammatory drugs for preloading and the concurrent use of
NSAIDs and steroids together. Also 17% of surgeons are
still considering 1+ cell and flare levels as normal in their
practice. Less than half of respondents strongly agree
that low-to-moderate inflammation has visual quality and
recovery impact.
The vast majority of respondents conclude that using
both NSAIDs and corticosteroids together to block the
inflammatory cascade was important after cataract
surgery. Slightly more U.S. respondents felt this way
compared to their international colleagues.
While about half of respondents are prescribing brand
name only pharmaceuticals, they think that about half of
the time these are being substituted anyway by the
pharmacy.
About two-thirds of respondents believe that there is a
significant difference between brand name and generic
drugs on patient outcomes and safety.
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