A PHARMACEUTICAL firm is appealing against a High Court ruling which could lead to the NHS saving of hundreds of millions of pounds a year.

Last week, a judge in London rejected an action brought by Bayer and Novartis against 12 NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in the region relating to a drug to treat the biggest cause of age-related vision loss in the UK, known as wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) .

But Bayer have now confirmed they are seeking permission to appeal against the decision.

The condition currently affects tens of thousands of people in the UK and is currently treated using either Lucentis, sold by Novartis, or Eylea, sold by Bayer.

The pharmaceutical giants tried to stop 12 CCGs in the North of England from offering the choice of an ‘undeniably effective and less expensive’ alternative treatment.

The decision means that patients across the country can also be offered Avastin as an alternative - a drug around 30 times cheaper than the most expensive alternative.

A Bayer spokesperson said: "Bayer believes the ruling is a setback for public health.

"Physicians may potentially be required to encourage patients to choose a treatment which is unlicensed for use in the eye, over approved regulatory licensed treatments for wet AMD, that have been assessed as cost-effective use of NHS resources by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The spokesperson added: "This has the potential to set a worrying precedent that denies patients the protection afforded by the regulatory process."