Cortisporin is a drug consisting of Neomycin, bacitracin, polymyxin B and hydrocortisone. It is a combination antibiotic and cortisone-like medicine. It can be used to treat infections of the ear canal and to help provide relief from redness, irritation, and discomfort of certain ear problems, including so-called swimmer's ear. In 2016, the drug came under scrutiny when Los Angeles Times columnist David Lazarus highlighted it as an example of unwarranted drug price markups by pharmaceutical companies. The drug is owned by Dublin, Ireland-based Endo International.
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History
Cortisporin was developed by Glaxo Wellcome and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1975. In 1997, the rights were sold to Monarch Pharmaceuticals, a division of King Pharmaceuticals. In 2007, King sold it to JHP Pharmaceuticals. Par Pharmaceutical acquired JHP in 2014. In 2015, Endo International purchased Par.
Price history
In David Lazarus' February 4, 2016 LA Times column, a pharmacist recalled a 10 milliliter vial of the drug selling for around $10 in the early 2010s. In 2015, the price was $100, and in 2016, it reportedly was selling for $195. A generic version, which is thinner and reportedly doesn't work as well, is priced at $144.
Generic info
Generic Name: neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate, and hydrocortisone. (Mfd. For: FALCON Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., Mfd. By: ALCON Manufacturing, Ltd.)
Dosage Form: otic suspension (liquid with ear dropper)
Generic Name: neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate, bacitracin zinc and hydrocortisone. (Monarch Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
Dosage Form: Dermatological ointment, drops.