A Calgary doctor says two drugs used to treat an eye disease should be covered by insurance companies as well as Alberta Blue Cross.
Both Avastin and Lucentis are used to treat wet macular degeneration - an eye disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated.
Biddy Pyke has the disease and was initially treated with shots of Avastin, which she had to pay $150 a dose. But the Avistan stopped working after a year, so she was switched to Lucentis which costs just over $1,800 a dose. Pyke is able to pay the cost of the drug but she worries about those who can't.
Dr. Geoff Williams says both drugs can restore sight but only Lucentis is approved for use in treating eyesight. Avastin is actually a cancer drug but also seems to help people with wet macular degeneration.
Williams would like to see the cost of both drugs covered. His argument for funding the drug now is that it is a more cost-effective approach, "given the cost of what it takes to look after people who subsequently go blind," says Williams.
There are several studies underway comparing Avastin to Lucentis, including one happening here in Calgary. The retinal specialists will be recruiting 250 of their own patients who have not received any treatment.
CTV News contacted Alberta Health about funding the drugs. They say they are still reviewing all the information available3 and have not made a decision about covering the cost of either drug.
