Avastin supply cut off

Drug manufacturer Genentech is to cut supply channels that ophthalmologists in the US use to provide AMD patients with a cheaper alternative to the costly drug Lucentis.

In a letter sent to all retinal specialists in the US, the company said wholesalers would no longer be able to provide Avastin to compounding pharmacies, which currently divide a vial of the drug into portions for use to treat patients with wet AMD.

'Some ophthalmologists are using Avastin to treat their patients even though Avastin is not FDA-approved for ocular use nor is it designed or manufactured for this purpose,' said a Genentech statement.