What's happened
The UK has approved lecanemab, an Alzheimer's drug developed by Eisai and Biogen, making it the first European country to do so. However, the National Health Service (NHS) is unlikely to fund it due to cost concerns, despite its efficacy in slowing cognitive decline.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Japan Times reports that the UK is the first European country to approve lecanemab, but the NHS may not cover it due to cost concerns. The Independent highlights NICE's stance that the drug's benefits are insufficient to justify its expense, despite MHRA's approval. Hilary Evans-Newton from Alzheimer's Research UK notes the bittersweet nature of this approval, emphasizing the need for the health system to adapt to new treatments.
How we got here
Lecanemab has been shown to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients by 27% in clinical trials. Despite its approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the NHS's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has expressed concerns over its cost-effectiveness.
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