Petition Parliament to modify a rule* that stops the NHS from saving money on a drug.

This is a unique situation. One Swiss pharmaceutical company makes 2 very similar medicines: ranibizumab, known by its trade name Lucentis, and bevacizumab ( Avastin). However Lucentis is 80 times more expensive than Avastin.
Research has shown that both drugs can prevent blindness equally.

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NHS patients with age-related macular degeneration took part in the IVAN study in 2008.

The MHRA's Guidance Note 14 specifically prohibits* obtaining a licensed special medicine in order to save money.

The appropriateness of this sanction when applied to the unique circumstance of Lucentis & Avastin merits parliamentary debate to change this law.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/373505/The_supply_of_unlicensed_medicinal_products__specials_.pdf

This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months

635 signatures

Progress of the petition towards its next target: 635 of 10,000 signatures required to get a government response

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10,000 signatures required to get a government response

Date closed 30 December 2016
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