Genentech to curtail off-label Avastin use

In an effort to combat the off-label use of its anticancer drug Avastin (bevacizumab) in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, US biotechnology major Genentech says it will stop supplying the product to certain retailers.

Avastin, which is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in a variety of cancer indications (Marketletters passim), is chemically similar to the wet-AMD treatment Lucentis (ranibizumab) that Genentech developed in collaboration with Swiss major Novartis. As a result, compounding pharmacies, which are licensed to mix and repackage drugs, have been providing Avastin in monthly single-dose formulations for around $40, a fraction of the $2,000 per month cost of Lucentis.

In a letter to physicians, Genentech's president of product development, Susan Desmond-Hellmann, said that the firm would no longer allow compounding pharmacies to buy Avastin direct from wholesale distributors. She added that the change would go into effect on November 30, to allow physicians and pharmacists time to adjust.