NEW YORK — Fera Pharmaceuticals has rolled out erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, an antibiotic treatment for the eye.

The company said Tuesday that the ointment is now available in a 1-gram dosages and that it expects ship the 3.5-gram tube size in the next few weeks.

Fera added that it plans for increased supply over the coming weeks, which the company said will help alleviate a supply shortage of the medication.

"Fera has made the completion of erythromycin 1-gram manufacturing transfer a priority, responding to the market shortage," president Frank DellaFera said in a statement. "We are genuinely pleased to be able to help hospitals provide the standard of care they demand."

The product launch stems from a recent acquisition. In July, Fera announced that it acquired all rights, title and interest to seven prescription sterile anti-infective ophthalmic ointment abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) marketed by Fougera, a division of Nycomed U.S. Inc.

Besides erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, the products included bacitracin; bacitracin zinc and polymixin B sulfate; gentamicin sulfate, neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and bacitracin zinc; neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone; neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates; and bacitracin zinc and hydrocortisone acetate.

Fera said the seven products represent more than 80% of the ophthalmic ointment market volume.

The generic drug maker shipped bacitracin ophthalmic ointment earlier this month, making it available through wholesalers, chain, independent and hospital pharmacies.