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In Touch: Novartis appeal, Shane Warne

Novartis appeal, Shane Warne

BBC Radio 4 - In Touch, Novartis appeal, Shane Warne

Pharma company Novartis appeals against a recent court judgement.

Pharmaceutical company Novartis is to appeal against a recent court ruling about the use of the drug Avastin to treat Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration.

A new twist in the ongoing tale of two treatments. Lucentis and Avastin have both been found to be effective in treating Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which costs the sight of tens of thousands of people each year. Avastin is vastly cheaper than Lucentis, but is not licensed for use in the eye. 
The High Court has found against drug companies which brought a legal action to prevent NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups from using the cheaper drug Avastin in people's eyes - and now there will be an appeal. 
We talk to David Hambleton of South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group who says the law is clear - and they will continue to use the cheaper alternative. 

We ask a manufacturer of high end electronic braille equipment what the advent of the considerably cheaper Orbit 20 Reader will mean for established brands.

And we hear from Red Szell on why Shane Warne put him off his breakfast. 

Presented by Peter White
Produced by Kevin Core

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