Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone. I hope 2011 brings you all great happiness and joy.
Secondly, as I am preparing to go back to work I was reading the Guardian online, in particular about a drug called Avastin which is produced by the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Pharmacy for £50 per dose. Why is this of interest? Well this drug helps prevent wet age-related macular degeneration, the most common form of blindness, which eye specialists have been using around the world.
So what is the problem? Well the drug companies who produce a more expensive version are trying to block its use. Why? Well they say it is not licensed and could be dangerous. However, if they (Genentech and Roche) are trying to block it, then it not only works but has a very pleasant side effect - reducing drug company profits.
What makes me so angry is that profit appears to be more important than people losing their sight. Let us just hope that the Condems are more on the side of the people than foreign-drug companies by approving Avastin in its use across the NHS. I will not hold my breath.
The article can be found HERE.
Secondly, as I am preparing to go back to work I was reading the Guardian online, in particular about a drug called Avastin which is produced by the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Pharmacy for £50 per dose. Why is this of interest? Well this drug helps prevent wet age-related macular degeneration, the most common form of blindness, which eye specialists have been using around the world.
So what is the problem? Well the drug companies who produce a more expensive version are trying to block its use. Why? Well they say it is not licensed and could be dangerous. However, if they (Genentech and Roche) are trying to block it, then it not only works but has a very pleasant side effect - reducing drug company profits.
What makes me so angry is that profit appears to be more important than people losing their sight. Let us just hope that the Condems are more on the side of the people than foreign-drug companies by approving Avastin in its use across the NHS. I will not hold my breath.
The article can be found HERE.
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