What's happened
The NHS has rejected the Alzheimer's drug donanemab, citing insufficient value for patients despite its recent licensing in the UK. This marks the second disease-modifying Alzheimer's treatment turned down by NICE in months, raising concerns about the UK's position in dementia treatment development.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, the NHS's rejection of donanemab was based on its assessment that the drug does not provide sufficient benefits to justify its high cost. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, stated, "The cost-effectiveness estimate for donanemab is five to six times above what NICE normally considers an acceptable use of NHS resources." In contrast, Alzheimer’s Research UK expressed disappointment, warning that this decision could signal that the UK is no longer a favorable environment for launching new dementia treatments. Ella Pickover from The Independent highlighted that while donanemab showed some efficacy in slowing cognitive decline, the associated risks and costs led to its rejection. This sentiment was echoed by other sources, emphasizing the need for more effective and safer treatments to emerge from ongoing research efforts.
How we got here
Donanemab, developed by Eli Lilly, was recently licensed for use in the UK but has been rejected by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) due to concerns over its cost-effectiveness and limited benefits. This follows a similar rejection of another Alzheimer's drug, lecanemab, earlier this year.
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Why Did NICE Reject the Alzheimer's Drug Donanemab?
The recent decision by NICE to reject the Alzheimer's drug donanemab has raised many questions among patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Understanding the reasons behind this rejection, the implications for Alzheimer's treatment, and the alternatives available is crucial for those affected by this devastating disease.
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More on these topics
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Donanemab is a biological drug in trial to treat early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. There is no cure or treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Donanemab has shown positive results in Eli Lilly and Co.’s first two trials.
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Eli Lilly and Company is an American pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with offices in 18 countries. Its products are sold in approximately 125 countries. The company was founded in 1876 by, and named after, Col. Eli Lilly, a
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Lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi, is a monoclonal antibody medication used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Lecanemab is an amyloid beta-directed antibody. It is given via intravenous infusion to patients with mild cognitive impairmen
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The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health in England, which publishes guidelines in four areas:
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Nice is the seventh most populous urban area in France and the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department. The metropolitan area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits, with a population of about 1 million on an area of 721 km².
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The University of Southampton is a research university in Southampton, England. The university's origins date back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862.
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom which is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.