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

As reported by TOI, "For those visiting the state-run Sarojini Devi Eye hospital (SDEH), the government used to subsidise the rate of Avastin to make it available at Rs 2,500 per dose. But now we have stopped using the drug after the ban came into force as we cannot afford to compromise on the safety of patients," said Dr M R Rathod, resident medical officer (RMO), SDEH.

When contacted, T Kailasam, deputy director, Telangana Drugs control administration, maintained that the ban on the drug's use for ophthalmic treatment would continue. "The drug, manufactured and marketed by Roche Product (India) Pvt Ltd, has only approval for treating cancer and not eye problems. The only way out is to conduct clinical trials on eye patients before it can re-enter the market for this purpose," he said.

Though originally approved for treating only certain types of cancers like colon cancer, over the years eye experts have started using them for multiple retinal conditions like diabetic macular edema (serum leakage in retina), retinal venous occlusions (affects blood supply to retina) and for preventing age-related vision loss known as macular degeneration.