UK Approves Costly Alzheimer's Drug Leqembi, Not Available on NHS

Aug 22, 2024, 09:19 AM

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Leqembi, also known as Lecanemab, a drug developed by Eisai and Biogen, which has been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Approved on Thursday, the drug is licensed for adult patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Despite its approval, Leqembi will not be available on the National Health Service (NHS) due to its high cost and limited benefits. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has stated that the benefits of Lecanemab, which slows disease progression by an average of 4-6 months, do not justify the significant expense required for treatment and monitoring. This decision has sparked disappointment among patients and healthcare professionals, as the drug represents a significant advancement in Alzheimer's treatment.