Professor Alan Maynard OBE, HPI's esteemed columnist, reflects on the blinding stupidity of currently prevalent NHS treatment of 'wet AMD'. For several years, it has been known that there are alternative treatments for ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Lucentis and Avastin. The former costs some £700 per dose; the later can be obtained for less than one-tenth of this high cost. Lucentis is registered for the treatment of macular degeneration. Avastin is not licensed for macular degeneration. Both drugs were created by the same company, Genentech. Clearly, it is not financial advantageous for Genentech to have Avastin licensed for the treatment of patients going blind, as it would destroy the market for Lucentis. Lucentis treatment, following NICE guidance, is provided by the NHS. No randomised ...
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