HAMPSHIRE health bosses have withdrawn a drug that helps save people’s sight following the threat of a legal challenge.

They have decided to discontinue their use of cancer drug Avastin to treat the estimated 1,000 people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight suffering from wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

It comes after drug company Novartis, which produces the more expensive and officially approved drug, Lucentis, sought a judicial review challenging the use of Avastin, which is not fully licensed to treat eye conditions.

AMD is the most common cause of blindness in developed countries, with almost two-thirds of people aged 80 or over affected by AMD to some degree.

Joan O’Brien, 73, from Rownhams, has suffered with AMD for more than five years.

She said: “I’m rather angry about this decision because Avastin could be saving the NHS millions at a time when funding is tight.

“I have been on Avastin for six years and I have never had any side effects and my sight has actually improved. I cannot understand why health bosses are wasting all that money on Lucentis.

“It has been a miracle for me and I think it is such a shame that they can’t move on and use Avastin.”

Previously it was believed that the use of Avastin could save the local NHS around £5m a year.

Professor Jonathan Montgomery, chairman of the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth (SHIP) PCT Cluster board, said: “We remain of the view that the policy was lawful, sensible and safe for patients. However, the board has concluded that given the discount being offered, it will be possible to reduce significantly the £7.5m spent annually on Lucentis in the SHIP area.

Debbie Fleming, chief executive of the PCT Cluster, added: “Patients with wet AMD will notice no difference to their care as a result of this decision.”