title: Replacing ranibizumab with bevacizumab on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme: where does the current evidence leave us?
abstract: The battle between two anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment options (ranibizumab and bevacizumab) for neovascular macular degeneration is a topic of particular significance to eye health professionals with an interest in cost-effective treatment. Being the first of its kind directly comparing the two anti-VEGF, a recent large multicentre clinical trial has shown that bevacizumab is not inferior when compared with ranibizumab in regards to efficacy of visual acuity outcomes; the evidence at this stage is inconclusive for safety outcomes. Before bevacizumab can be considered a justifiable replacement for the much more expensive ranibizumab on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), its safety in treatment needs further supporting evidence.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Jaskirat.aujla@uqconnect.edu.au
authors.forename: Jaskirat S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Aujla
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab