Well, on second thought...maybe Genentech won't restrict supplies of Avastin [1]. This turnabout announcement comes after the company met with eye specialists who were hopping mad that patients might be forced to buy Lucentis at $2,000 per dose versus Avastin at $40.
The company says it will need the FDA's OK to continue selling to compounding pharmacists who split Avastin vials into small doses for eye use. But it will postpone the distribution restrictions until January to give ophthalmologists time to find alternate sources.
- read the report [2] from the San Francisco Chronicle
Related Articles:
Why should Medicare pay for Lucentis? Report [3]
Genentech cuts eye docs out of Avastin. Report [1]
Doctors balancing effects, costs of Lucentis and Avastin. Report [4]
Lucentis gets the green light from regulators. Report [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/genentech-cuts-eye-docs-out-avastin/2007-10-12
[2] http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/10/30/BUGRFT34I4.DTL&type=business
[3] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/why-should-medicare-pay-lucentis/2007-10-22
[4] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/doctors-balancing-effects-costs-of-lucentis-and-avastin/2006-06-29?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal
[5] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/lucentis-gets-the-green-light-from-regulators/2006-07-03?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal