New treatment for wet AMD available in Scotland

[Becky_MacularSociety]

A new treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which would require fewer injections, has been approved for NHS patients in Scotland today.

Brolucizumab (Beovu), which could see patients going as much as 12 weeks between injections, has been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC)

In two clinical trials, the new drug has showed that in less than a year almost a third of patients were able to see at least 15 more letters in standard eye tests and vision gain was seen as early as four weeks into the trial, with progress sustained for two years.

Cathy Yelf, Chief Executive of the Macular Society, said: “With wet AMD, central vision gradually gets worse, making everyday activities such as reading, recognising faces and driving more difficult, and can eventually lead to a loss of independence.”

“The treatment burden for patients with wet AMD is huge. So, we are delighted that a new treatment option, which has the potential to maintain vision and help minimise the number of hospital visits for people living with this devastating condition and their loved ones, is now available in Scotland.”

Dr Mark Toms, Medical Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Novartis UK, added: "Today’s SMC acceptance of brolucizumab represents an important advance for patients in Scotland living with wet AMD. They will now have access to a treatment option that has the potential to minimise the treatment burden while improving their vision and delaying progression of their wet AMD."

Novartis is expecting a decision from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on whether the drug will be available for the rest of the UK later in the year

[Babyben]

My son has diabetic macular oedema& has injections every 4 weeks ( eyelea) is there any ongoing research into this ?

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to Babyben]

Good Afternoon, Babyden,

Drugs that are being considered for wet AMD are often also then being assessed for how good they will be for DMO.

We don’t currently fund any research on DMO, although it is within our remit, we just haven’t had any good grant applications.

Elsewhere Diabetes UK fund a few projects and generally speaking there is a fair amount of research going into improving treatments. The number for Diabetes UK is 0345 123 2399 to discuss what research they are funding for DMO.

Best Wishes,

Becky

[Koalajane]

I wonder if this will work on macular oedema as well

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to Koalajane]

Good Afternoon, Koalajane,

Drugs that are being considered for wet AMD are often also then being assessed for how good they will be for DMO.

We don’t currently fund any research on DMO, although it is within our remit, we just haven’t had any good grant applications.

Elsewhere Diabetes UK fund a few projects and generally speaking there is a fair amount of research going into improving treatments. The number for Diabetes UK is 0345 123 2399 to discuss what research they are funding for DMO.

Best Wishes,

Becky

[springcross]

That's great news Becky. I assume they will see how it goes in Scotland before it's released anywhere else, so that may mean next year sometime? x

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to springcross]

Not quite, Scotland have a different healthcare service than England. The health boards in Scotland have approved Beovu for use whereas we are still waiting for NICE to approve for England, a decision was originally due earlier this year however the pandemic slowed things down. We are hoping for a decision to be made early next year, however there is no exact date

[Fishing1949]

I have been having Eylea injections for the last two years and I have been on on a twelve weekly injection cycle for for the last twelve months. Is there any identified benefit of Beovu compared with Eylea?

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to Fishing1949]

Good Morning Fishing1949,

It has the same effectiveness as Eyelea, Lucentis and Avastin. However Beovu is more concentrated which allows it to be given at longer intervals than the other 3.

The other benefit is, if someone hasn't responded to the previous medications, there is a new medication for them to try.

All the best,

Becky

[Shimano]

Becky, this sounds like great news. Do you know if the new injection is available at the moment or just somewhere in a distant pipeline? If requested, are we likely to get it?

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to Shimano]

Good Morning Shimano,

The drug was approved for use on Tuesday 8th September, it should become available in clinics 90 days from that date

Best,

Becky

[Shimano]

Forgot to say I live in scotland

[Shimano]

Thanks Becky. That is really good news. Hopefully England will soon get on board. Will let you know if I have any success getting it. My next appt not till end of October.

[Lexxxus]

I live in the US in Pennsylvania. I've had 3 BEOVU injections so far. I've only been able to go 8 weeks between injections so far. But I've tried all the other

ones which didn't help as much as BEOVU does. I'm hoping to eventually be

able to go longer in between treatments but 8 is still better then 4.

The only side effect I have Is the sensation of looking through broken glass like when I get an optic migraine. Only it doesn't leave but it's

not as severe as when I get the optic migraine. There were only 3 of us with

the same side effect. The other 2 stopped using the BEOVU & their symptoms went away. So I felt it must not be permanent so I am continuing with it.

[Hidden]

I am very interested in this treatment...is there a web page available?

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to Hidden]

Good Morning Hidden

Here is the webpage from the SMC

scottishmedicines.org.uk/me...

All the best

Becky