BACKGROUND: As part of the risk management plan for Eylea (an intravitreal antineovascularization agent with several indications) a vial preparation instruction card; intravitreal injection procedure video; and product monograph were distributed to physicians to provide education on key safety information. OBJECTIVES: To measure whether physicians received and used the educational materials and to evaluate their knowledge of the key safety information. METHODS: Retinal specialists and ophthalmologists in Canada who had prescribed and/or administered Eylea in the past 6 months were recruited from a list of prescribers to complete a survey on their knowledge of key safety information for Eylea. RESULTS: Ninety-five physicians (31% of the total invited) completed the questionnaire. Almost all physicians (98%) reported that they received at least one of the educational materials. The proportion of correct responses to individual questions on storage and preparation of Eylea varied from 54% to 98%. Physician knowledge was high on the recommended dose of Eylea (91%), dose preparation (91%-96% on individual items), and dosing guidelines by indication (75%-95% on individual items). Most physicians (89%) knew the contraindications for Eylea use. Sixty percent of physicians reported correctly that Eylea should not be used in pregnancy unless clearly indicated by medical need and the benefits outweigh risks, and an additional 20% of physicians responded more conservatively that Eylea should never be used in pregnancy. Knowledge was high on questions about injection procedures (91%-99% on individual items); however, fewer physicians (24%) correctly reported that the eye should be covered with a sterile drape. Knowledge was also high for possible side effects (89%-100% on individual items), as well as on actions to take in relation to the potential increased intraocular pressure (86%-93%). CONCLUSION: Physicians’ knowledge of the most important topics was high. Knowledge varied for topics that are less frequently encountered (e.g., use in women of childbearing potential) and for recommendations that are not part of current standard medical practice in Canada (e.g., use of sterile drape).
