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Episode details

Radio 4,25 Oct 2011,20 mins

More on the Lucentis-Avastin debate

In Touch

Available for over a year

The drug Lucentis - used in the treatment of Wet AMD - costs the NHS more than one per cent of its whole drugs budget. Now the Macular Disease Society wants the Government to appraise the far cheaper alternative Avastin. It's currently unlicenced for the treatment of eye disease because of concerns about side effects but is being prescribed by some private opthalmologists and an increasing number of Primary Care Trusts in the NHS. Helen Jackman from the MD Society explains why they want the Department of Health to act now. And former In Touch presenter Jane Copsey on why she missed out on our 50th Birthday celebrations. After a spell in hospital she tells us why a common sense approach to care could make all the difference and not cost a penny. Producer Cheryl Gabriel.

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