Who We Are
Moorfields Pharmaceuticals is the pharmaceutical manufacturing facility which forms part of Moorfields Eye Hospital, one of the world’s leading ophthalmic hospitals providing expertise in clinical care, research and education. We specialise in the manufacture and development of sterile liquid products and Ophthalmic Specials.
We have prepared pharmaceutical products in response to clinical needs for over 50 years and with a handful of Pharmacists working in a small laboratory within the Hospital Moorfields Pharmaceuticals was launched. In the 1990s this was identified as a revenue generating opportunity for the hospital. In 2003 a purpose-built manufacturing facility was opened on a separate site next to Moorfields Eye Hospital. Today, we have more than 60 employees – and we are still growing!
We pride ourselves on being highly flexible and endeavour to meet the needs of all our customers,whether they be individual pharmacists requiring off licence "Specials" products for single prescriptions, or major world wide pharmaceutical contract manufacturing partners with sophisticated requirements for clinical trials materials.
What are "Specials" ?
Definition: A "Special" is an unlicensed medicinal product for a named patient.
Pharmaceutical products for use in humans are controlled by the Medicines Act 1968 (UK legislation) and relevant EC Directives. Essentially, this legislation requires such products to have a Marketing Authorisation (or Product Licence) in order to allow the product to be supplied. UK legislation also allows an exemption for products to be supplied to meet a "special need" on the request of a clinician for their patients and under their direct responsibility.
Such products are unlicensed and are commonly described as "Specials". They may not have been subjected to the same assessment criteria by the regulatory authorities as licensed products in respect of safety, quality and efficacy.
"Specials" are supplied in order to meet individual patient needs and they are sometimes referred to as "named patient supply". The clinician will determine if the patient has "Special needs" for example, products without preservative where the patient may have an intolerance to such ingredients.
"Specials" must be supplied against genuine unsolicited orders from the clinician. Clinicians may purchase these products directly from manufacturers but often they are supplied against the prescription given to the named patient with a need for “Specials”.
Moorfields Pharmaceuticals is licensed by the MHRA and holds the relevant manufacturing and wholesaling licences to allow it to supply "Specials". All products supplied are released by our Qualified Persons who are suitably trained and have a vast depth of experience to ensure the products meet the high standards we have set. In addition, we hold detailed records of all supplies made as required by the legislation.
"Specials" can be supplied to export markets subject to the importation requirements of that market. Our expert team can assist with providing relevant information to support these activities.
Moorfields Pharmaceuticals has been in the business of supplying "Specials" for decades. We are specialists in the niche arena of ophthalmic "Specials".
