However, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended against a rival product, Macugen, which is marketed by Pfizer and Eyetech. The guidance also suggests that Lucentis should be used when both eyes are affected, and that it should be used in the better-seeing eye.
Andrew Dillon, chief executive of NICE said: “Most people with AMD only seek help once the disease is beginning to affect their second eye. Because of this, and based on the evidence they have seen, our independent advisory committee believes the right thing to do is to treat and try to save as much sight as possible in the better-seeing eye.”
Blindness charity Royal National Institute for the Blind expressed dismay at the guidance. “The charity is outraged at stringent preliminary recommendations that will deny anti-VEGF treatments to 80% of patients with wet AMD (age-related macular degeneration) in England and Wales, and offer treatment to just one in five 'lucky' patients – but only after they've gone blind in one eye,” the group said in a press release.
Both Macugen and Lucentis are available to patients in Scotland, where Lucentis is approved for all patients with wet AMD. Subject to any appeals, the final guidance is expected in September 2007.