Source: BBC Health
Area: News
The BBC has reported that Novartis is challenging the NHS on the use of intravitreal bevacizumab (AvastinT) instead of the NICE-recommended ranibizumab (LucentisT) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Both drugs are manufactured by Novartis but bevacizumab is not licensed for this indication and has been widely used off-label because it is a cheaper alternative. Ranibizumab costs around £740 per injection, and has been specifically developed for use in ocular conditions with a supporting European licence and safety approval for treating wet AMD. Bevacizumab costs around £60 per injection and has been widely used off-label.
Primary care trusts for Southampton, Hampshire, The Isle of Wight and Portsmouth have jointly decided that they would also pay for the use of bevacizumab, in addition to ranibizumab, where it was prescribed by an ophthalmologist.
Novartis is seeking a judicial review of the policy to pay for ...
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