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Press Release

Charity welcomes Royal College statement

14 December 2011

The Macular Disease Society has welcomed today's statement from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists which calls for a review of Avastin to treat age-related macular degeneration. The Society shares the view of the Royal College that there needs to be a coherent and consistent national policy about the use of this drug in eyes.

Avastin is a cancer drug and not licensed for use in ophthalmology. However, both clinical trials and widespread use of the drug to treat AMD have provided evidence that it is as effective as the licensed drug, Lucentis. Avastin is much cheaper and there is growing pressure on clinicians to use it instead. Doctors are responsible for the consequences of prescribing unlicensed treatments and we believe that it is not right that other bodies such as Primary Care Trusts should demand the use of Avastin without a nationally agreed policy in place to protect both doctors and patients.

The Macular Disease Society warmly welcomes the leadership shown by the Royal College and join with them in urging the NHS Executive or Ministers urgently to launch a NICE review.



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Macular Disease Society

Macular Disease Society

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