Macular Degeneration breakthrough
A new drug may be able to stop people going blind and, in some cases, restore sight. It’s estimated 7,000 Australians a year could benefit, but the drug is very expensive- $2000 for a monthly injection – prompting calls from the Macular Degeneration Foundation for its inclusion on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Lucentis has only been available in Australia for a few months but Australians were involved in international trials at Melbourne University’s Centre for Eye Research. It is being hailed as a wonder drug in the treatment of age related wet macular degeneration.
The trials showed that 19 out of 20 people using Lucentis will keep the vision they have and 40% will improve.
It will take a minimum of six months of trials and evaluation – and then full co-operation and Government support – to get Lucentis onto the PBS.
In the meantime, some doctors are also offering patients a similar drug called Avastin which treats colon cancer. It hasn’t been manufactured or approved for eyes, but extensive use overseas suggests Avastin is as safe and effective as Lucentis at a tenth of the price. Both drugs have been developed by American company Genentech.
