Chloramphenicol (P medicine)

Pharmacy guide

This pharmacy guide will help you and your pharmacy teams supply chloramphenicol eye drops and ointment over the counter (OTC) for the treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis quickly and safely, in line with its marketing authorisation. 

It covers all the considerations before supply as well as a summary of the product information so you can be satisfied that the supply will be clinically suitable and used responsibly and appropriately. There’s a handy flowchart to help you with decision-making on whether to supply. 

Chloramphenicol is licensed as a pharmacy (P) medicine and available OTC as chloramphenicol 0.5% w/v eye drops and 1% w/w eye ointment. It’s indicated to use in acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children aged two years and over.

^{First Published: 8 September 2016
Updated: 29 July 2025}