UK backs Lucentis for new use after Novartis cuts price

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s healthcare cost watchdog has given its backing to eye drug Lucentis to treat diabetes-related problems after Swiss drugmaker Novartis offered it at a discount to the National Health Service. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), in a reversal of an earlier decision, said on Friday Lucentis should now be available for patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Lucentis is already approved by NICE to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. …