Hyderabad: ban on cheap anti-cancer drug affects many patients

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The recent ban by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on the use of anti-cancer drug Avastin (generic name Bevacizumab) for ophthalmic purposes is affecting many patients who seeks affordable treatment for retinal problems.
Alternatively, there are only expensive treatments available in the market. A single dose of 0.5 ml of Avastin injection is between Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, another version of the drug Ranibizumab, is almost three times this cost.
It is also more difficult for patients as these alternatives are not covered under corporate insurance schemes. The added benefit of coming under any government subsidy is also not applicable on these drugs.
The city's private eye hospitals are bearing the brunt of this ban order where the drug was prescribed to 200-300 patients every day on an average.
The ban, as implied by some sources was imposed on the drug after a reported incident in Ahmedabad hospital, where 15 patients allegedly lost after their partial vision when injected with Avastin.
Alternatively, there are only expensive treatments available in the market. A single dose of 0.5 ml of Avastin injection is between Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, another version of the drug Ranibizumab, is almost three times this cost.
It is also more difficult for patients as these alternatives are not covered under corporate insurance schemes. The added benefit of coming under any government subsidy is also not applicable on these drugs.
The city's private eye hospitals are bearing the brunt of this ban order where the drug was prescribed to 200-300 patients every day on an average.
The ban, as implied by some sources was imposed on the drug after a reported incident in Ahmedabad hospital, where 15 patients allegedly lost after their partial vision when injected with Avastin.
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