Novartis' Lucentis beats off-label Avastin in macular oedema, unlucky for Allergan
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
NICE, the health technology appraisal institute for England and Wales, has finally okayed Novartis' VEGF receptor agonist Lucentis, (ranibizumab) for sight problems caused by macular oedema relating to central or branch retinal vein occlusion (C/BRVO). Final draft guidance issued today lays to rest the ghost of off-label versions of Roche's Avastin (bevacizumab) and pits the drug against Allergan's Ozurdex (dexamethasone implant).