The NHS spending watchdog says a drug which has showed signs of slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease should not be rolled out on the UK’s public health service. According to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), clinical trials showed that lecanemab can slow cognitive decline by four to six months, but the watchdog is concerned about the lack of evidence about its long-term effects – and say they can’t justify the cost. This decision goes against the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) standpoint which claims that the drug, developed by pharmaceutical company Eisai and sold under the brand name Leqembi, is safe and effective.
Commenting on the announcement, Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK , said: “Today’s news is bittersweet for people affected by Alzheimer’s disease. “It’s a remarkable achievement that science is now delivering licensed treatments that can slow down the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s, rather than just alleviating its symptoms. However, it’s clear our health system isn’t ready to embrace this new wave of Alzheimer’s drugs.
”But what is Alzheimer’s and what other treatments are available? What is Alzheimer’s? “Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects memory, thinking, and behaviour,” explains Dr Ahmad Khundakar , senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at Teesside University. “It is t.