Roche Says Avastin is Unsafe to Use But is Safe to Use

Increases Bleeding, Not a Problem, Increases Strokes, A Problem

Avastin is one of the most profitable prescription drugs that Roche produces.  For the last several years the company has been in a dispute with the FDA who says it is harmful and ineffective against breast cancer, and that its approval for that treatment should be taken away (The drug could still be prescribed, but “off label”.  The cost to the patient, $90,000 per year)

Roche strongly denies this conclusion and has argued vehemently for its use in treating cancer and has even lobbied the halls of Congress to put additional pressure on the FDA.  The FDA made a final ruling in July that it was not effective and maybe not safe for use in this regard.

Now the interesting thing is that Avastin is accepted as treatment for macular degeneration, a disorder affecting the retina.  Roche’s position here, the drug should not be used for this!  Really.

Less than a month after a U.S. panel rejected the use of Roche’s Avastin in breast cancer, the company is fighting two Democratic senators’ efforts to expand its use as a low-cost option for an eye disease.

And how would they be trying to keep the drug from being used.  Why they claim it is not safe.

Roche points to two other studies, one of which it funded, that show this use of the drug increases the risk of stroke and death in seniors.

Wait, this doesn’t make sense.  Why would they not want more sales of the drug? And why are they saying it is not safe on one hand when on the other hand they are arguing that it is safe.  Well here’s a clue

This “off label” application eats into sales of Roche’s Lucentis, an approved drug for the condition that’s 40 times more expensive.

See, there’s a logical explanation for everything.  Roche’s position, applications that make us a lot of money are safe uses of the drug, applications that do not make us a lot of money are unsafe uses.  That logical enough for everyone?