Novartis seeks judicial review over Avastin

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Novartis has filed for a judicial review of the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth primary care trust (SHIP) cluster board's wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) policy.

Novartis claimed there were emerging safety concerns when unlicensed bevacizumab was used to treat eye conditions. 'Novartis is worried that the principle of patient safety is being undermined by the current SHIP policy. It is unacceptable to put the safety of patients at risk through the widespread use of an unlicensed treatment when a licensed medicine is available. It undermines the regulatory process that was introduced to safeguard patients,' said the company in a statement.