Sir,

We read the article by Brand1 with interest; however, we believe that the role of bevacizumab was underestimated in the patient-centric approach of retinal vascular diseases treatment. In fact, although bevacizumab has not been authorised by any Health Authority worldwide, its off-label use for a variety of chorioretinal disorders has gained global acceptance, and now it is the most commonly used anti-VEGF drug all over the world. Its lower cost of treatment, approximately $40 per dose compared with approximately $2000 per dose for ranibizumab, largely explains its more frequent widespread use over the latter.2 Paradoxically, despite the increasing number of indications and patients under anti-VEGF treatment, the price of ranibizumab has barely declined. Moreover, although the content of a single-dose vial of ranibizumab is two to three times larger than that needed for single use, due to the dead space in the tuberculin syringe, a significant portion of the drug is unused and wasted.

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD