At least 50,000 people in the UK are affected by a condition known as diabetic macular oedema, in which fluid leaks from the small blood vessels in the eye and collects in the central part of the retina at the rear of the eye (known as the macular area). This can lead to serious visual impairment.
A drug known as ranibizumab (branded as Lucentis) can improve sufferers' vision when injected into the eye, and ultimately prevent them from going blind.
A drug called ranibizumab (marketed under the brand name Lucentis) offers hope to people with this condition - when injected into the eye, it can improve vision.
Lucentis is already recommended to the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for another condition known as wet age-related macular degeneration. But NICE has concluded that it's too expensive to provide to people suffering from diabetic macular oedema.
Laser surgery is the usual treatment for diabetic macular oedema on the NHS, but, unlike Lucentis, this doesn't improve vision - it merely stops further deterioration.
At present, the drug costs 742.17 per injection, but four British diabetes charities are lobbying the Government to agree as quickly as possible to a Patient Access Scheme with Novartis, the company that manufactures Lucentis, so that the cost to the NHS can be reduced.
Steve Winyard from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) expressed optimism about the chances of an agreement being reached, but warned that if this doesn't happen, patients diabetic macular oedema could 'needlessly' lose their sight.
Novartis released a statement indicating that they will continue working with NICE and the Department of Health to make sure 'appropriate' patients have access to the drug. Novartis said NICE didn't consult adequately with experts on the data the company provided to their appraisal committee, but NICE said Novartis had significantly underestimated what the treatment costs.
A drug known as ranibizumab (branded as Lucentis) can improve sufferers' vision when injected into the eye, and ultimately prevent them from going blind.
A drug called ranibizumab (marketed under the brand name Lucentis) offers hope to people with this condition - when injected into the eye, it can improve vision.
Lucentis is already recommended to the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for another condition known as wet age-related macular degeneration. But NICE has concluded that it's too expensive to provide to people suffering from diabetic macular oedema.
Laser surgery is the usual treatment for diabetic macular oedema on the NHS, but, unlike Lucentis, this doesn't improve vision - it merely stops further deterioration.
At present, the drug costs 742.17 per injection, but four British diabetes charities are lobbying the Government to agree as quickly as possible to a Patient Access Scheme with Novartis, the company that manufactures Lucentis, so that the cost to the NHS can be reduced.
Steve Winyard from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) expressed optimism about the chances of an agreement being reached, but warned that if this doesn't happen, patients diabetic macular oedema could 'needlessly' lose their sight.
Novartis released a statement indicating that they will continue working with NICE and the Department of Health to make sure 'appropriate' patients have access to the drug. Novartis said NICE didn't consult adequately with experts on the data the company provided to their appraisal committee, but NICE said Novartis had significantly underestimated what the treatment costs.
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