Avastin vs Lucentis: Genentech Co-Pay Card Program Not Nearly Enough!
I received an e-mail this week from Genentech BioOncology, introducing their new Co-Pay Card Program. Genentech is the maker of the two drugs I have blogged about involved in the current macular degeneration treatment controversy, Lucentis and Acastin.
According to the e-mail:
"We are committed to ensuring that all eligible patients have access to the therapies they need. That is why we created the Genentech BioOncology Co-Pay Card Program, a program that gives eligible patients help with their BioOncology product co-pay."
This program will basically pay the 20% co-pay for those patients that financially qualify. I think this is wonderful for certain treatment modalities, but not so in the case of Lucentis to treat macular degeneration. The co-pay would be around $400. What a nice gesture, what great marketing... In my opinion, this is a joke. What Genentech should be doing is seeking approval for the treatment of macular degeneration with Avastin! Then let the patient handle the $10 co-pay themselves!! Shame on you Genentech, hiding behind charity where corporate profits are the real issue!
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