Written question WQ92683
- Asked by
- James EvansConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 3 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Secretary outline what support is available to patients with Wet AMD, specifically around the use of Avastin injections for those with eyesight better than 6/12 vision?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
In England commissioning bodies will only allow the use of Lucentis / eylea / faricimab etc in patients with vision worse than 6/12. In Wales this restriction doesn't apply, as we provide treatment to patients with a licensed medication based on their clinical need including those with eyesight better than 6/12.
Avastin is unlicensed for use in the eye. It is considerably cheaper than the specialist injections but not as effective and requires more frequent injections. It is used in England as commissioning bodies allow its use in patients with vision better than 6/12 on cost reasons.
This would only apply to patients in Powys who receive injections across the border in England and we have no control over their treatment.