I've had a busy day. Late last night (after watching the Red Sox beat
the Cleveland Indians), I found a new blog entry that discussed the
reasons behind Genentech's decision to cut off compounding pharmacists
from obtaining Avastin. It was written by Dave Hamilton, formerly of
the WSJ, and written on VentureBeat blog. I obtained permission from
the publisher and reproduced it on my web Journal.

Here is the link:

http://irvaronsjournal.blogspot.com/2007/10/avastinlucentis-update-18-genentech-
yes.html

Then this evening, the WSJ Health Blog wrote that a U.S. Senator (Herb
Kohl) chairman of the Special Committee on Aging wrote the CMS (Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services) about the cost differential
between Avastin and Lucentis, asking them what they intended to do to
"examine and address this potential cost to the taxpayers."

I took the liberty to put this writeup on my web Journal, as well,
along with a link to the Senator's letter.

Here is that link:

http://irvaronsjournal.blogspot.com/2007/10/avastinlucentis-update-19-us-senator.html

Perhaps Genentech may be forced to rescind their letter to the retinal
community!

Irv Arons