Genentech postpones discontinuation of bevacizumab sales to compounding pharmacies

Genentech has postponed the date on which it will stop supplying bevacizumab to compounding pharmacies to Jan. 1, 2008, according to an open letter posted on the company's Web site. The discontinuation had initially been scheduled for Nov. 30.

"We made this change so that affected physicians will have sufficient time to develop and implement transition plans to assure that patient care is not adversely affected," the Genentech letter said.

The company made the decision to postpone discontinuing Avastin (bevacizumab) sales to compounding pharmacies after Genentech senior executives met with leaders from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS).

In addition to the postponement, Genentech agreed that it would reinstate supplying bevacizumab to compounding pharmacies if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gives it the legal and regulatory authorization.

Genentech originally announced its decision to cease selling bevacizumab to compounding pharmacies in a letter to physicians made public on Oct. 11. Private physicians, as well as organizations including the AAO and ASRS, immediately expressed concerns over how the decision could affect patient care.

"The decision we communicated was not made lightly," the latest letter said. "In fact, it was guided by our company's strong commitment to take actions that are scientifically and clinically sound and in the best long-term interest of patients, while at the same time adhering to government regulations and remaining mindful of the retinal community's views."

Genentech said that the company never intended to keep bevacizumab from patients who need the drug to manage ocular disease. "We expect Avastin to be available and that physicians will continue to prescribe it for ocular indications," the letter said.