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Macular Degeneration: Drugs

Question for Department of Health

UIN HL5335, tabled on 2 March 2015

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to make the drug Avastin available to treat people with wet age-related macular degeneration.

Answered on

12 March 2015

Avastin is not licensed for treating wet age related macular degeneration. Whilst only the manufacturer is able to apply for a new licence, doctors are free to prescribe unlicensed medicines and licensed products off label if they feel they are clinically appropriate for their patients. There are two products – Lucentis and Eylea – which are licensed and have both been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for this purpose. It is ultimately the responsibility of the prescriber to recommend the drug that best suits the individual clinical needs of his or her patient following Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and General Medical Council guidance.