In a recent development, Britain’s drug regulator has authorized the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, marking it as the first medicine to show some impact in slowing the progression of the neurodegenerative disease. However, the U.K. government is unlikely to cover the cost of the drug, as an independent agency issued draft guidance stating that the benefits of Leqembi do not justify the expense for taxpayers. The drug, made by Japanese drugmaker Eisai, requires patients to be hospitalized every two weeks for administration and monitoring, with experts highlighting the lack of long-term effectiveness data.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued draft guidance on Leqembi, which will undergo a public consultation before final advice is provided later this year. NICE estimated that around 70,000 people in Britain could potentially benefit from the drug, which is still available for private prescription. While some experts acknowledge the disappointment this news may bring to patients and their families, they express hope for the development of more effective drugs in the near future, with over 160 trials currently testing experimental treatments for Alzheimer’s globally.
Hilary Evans-Newton, CEO of Alzheimers Research UK, views Leqembi as a significant step towards changing the way diseases like Alzheimer’s are treated. She pointed out that there are numerous trials underway testing various treatments for Alzheimer’s, indicating a promising future for improved therapies. However, concerns have been raised about the potential disparities in healthcare access that may arise due to the contrasting decisions made by British regulators and health watchdogs, with some experts fearing that only those with private healthcare may have access to the drug.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized Leqembi in July of last year, enabling Medicare and other insurance plans to cover the treatment. Despite this, the European Medicines Agency recommended against authorizing the drug across the EU, citing concerns about its side effects outweighing the benefits of slowing cognitive decline. The contrasting decisions by regulatory bodies across different regions highlight the complexities in evaluating the cost and benefits of new Alzheimer’s treatments, raising questions about equitable access to innovative medications in the realm of healthcare.
