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THE NHS could save “hundreds of millions of pounds” a year after 12 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) won a landmark legal fight to use an equally effective and significantly cheaper sight-saving drug.
Pharmaceutical giants Bayer and Novartis took the CCGs to the High Court after they decided to start treating wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — the leading cause of vision loss — with anti-cancer drug Avastin.
The companies — which market rival, licensed drugs Eylea and Lucentis — argued it was unlawful for the CCGs to use Avastin because it is not licensed for the treatment of wet AMD.
Politicians who continue to welcome contracts with US companies without considering the risks and consequences of total dependency in the years to come are undermining the raison d’etre of the NHS, argues Dr JOHN PUNTIS
