Diabetes UK has blasted a decision not to recommend Lucentis (ranibizumab) for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DMO) within the NHS.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has decided ranibizumab is not a cost-effective alternative to laser photocoagulation, despite recognising successful trials.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) also refused the treatment last week.
Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: 'This decision means more people will needlessly lose their sight. We pressed hard to make this treatment available on the NHS and we will campaign for NICE to reconsider its decision. The cost of looking after people with sight loss far outweighs the cost of Lucentis treatment, let alone the human cost.'
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