Drug Manufacturer Called To Task

Drug manufacturer Genentech has been involved in a dispute with physicians over the use of its drug Avastin. Ophthalmologists became concerned last October when Genentech announced it was changing the distribution channels for Avastin, which would make it much more difficult for patients to receive the drug. Doctors accused the company of making the change to force the use of its more expensive drug, Lucentis.
Lucentis is approved to treat macular degeneration, a condition that causes blindness and is encountered frequently in elderly patients. It costs approximately $2,000 per injection. Most patients require monthly injections.
Many ophthalmologists have been Avastin, which is approved only to treat cancer, but works in the same way as Lucentis. Compounding pharmacies divide a vial of Avastin into small portions for use in the eye. In small doses, Avastin costs between $20 to $100 per injection.
Genentech announced in October that it would no longer sell Avastin to compounding pharmacies.
However, after an inquiry by Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, Genentech and two announced that doctors would be able to purchase Avastin themselves and have the drug delivered to compounding pharmacies.