Loss of vision in patients with the Research Institute of Eye Diseases in Moscow after injections of Avastin

The Ministry of Health and the Investigative Committee of Russia are conducting an audit at the Research Institute of Eye Diseases named after. Helmholtz after several patients of this clinic complained of deterioration or loss of vision after injection of the drug Avastin, performed in this clinic.

While the situation is ambiguous and the initial data for accusations or excuses as a drug, so doctors or clinics are not enough. Probably, concrete results will become known after checks of competent bodies.

As an expert, I see three possible variants of the problems that have arisen:

1. The technique of the injection. That is, illiterate medical personnel can make mistakes in some way, or violate the rules of aseptic and antiseptic drugs during the injection, which will result in a deterioration in the patient's health. But a sudden reaction in this case is impossible, there must be a period until the bacteria fixes on the diseased cells and begin their multiplication.It can also be assumed that there are disturbances in the process of dilution or administration of the drug, that is, a departure from the instructions when preparing the drug solution or its administration. Given that patients complain of pain or burning in the eyes and loss of vision, there is probably some reaction of hypersensitivity or allergy, as a reaction to some component of the drug or a solvent that dilutes the drug for infusion.

2. Reaction of the drug itself. Avastin is a strong enough drug in itself. This antitumor agent, which is used to reduce the growth of tumors, mainly endothelial. Perhaps a technological failure occurred in the factory and an infection got into the ampoules, or there was a deviation from the formulation of the medicine. This will be determined by the results of the examination of the drug itself. Unlikely option, given the authority of the manufacturer.

3. Throw in the media. This option can also be assumed. This may be the machinations of competitors who want to blacken the drug (I always encounter this in my Directory, when agents of influence try to write far-fetched reviews of certain preparations of competing firms), or just somebodythe journalist became bored and he found a couple of injected patients and suggested they bungle the dark business. In our reality, I will not be surprised at anything.

While it remains to wait, since it is not possible to confirm or deny it with the existing array of information. I want to believe the competent authorities will deal with this issue and point out the true reasons for the uproar. And patients receiving Avastin in this clinic should be careful and report any problems and changes that have arisen to their attending physician or to the competent authorities conducting the investigation.