Sun Pharma’s Cequa (ciclosporin 900μg/ml) eyedrop has been listed on Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for patients with chronic, severe dry eye disease (DED) with keratitis.

Cequa’s delivery system effects a 10-fold increase in the aqueous concentration of ciclosporin, compared with cyclosporin 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion, according to Sun Pharma. Indicated for increasing tear production in moderate to severe DED, where artificial tears have proved insufficient, 2018 and 2019 studies demonstrated Cequa significantly and rapidly reduced signs of DED, with noticeably reduced corneal staining at 28 days and reduced conjunctival staining at 56 days.

Cequa is approved by New Zealand’s Medsafe but is not currently funded by Pharmac.