Alzheimer: A New Drug Has Been Approved in This Country to Fight Cognitive Decline

A novel Alzheimer’s treatment received final clearance from the US drug authority on Thursday, making it more broadly accessible to the public via government-run health insurance for the elderly.

Leqembi, a drug co-developed by Eisai of Japan and Biogen of the US, was shown in a clinical study to slightly slow cognitive deterioration in people with early-stage illness.

However, the research also brought up issues with adverse consequences such brain swelling and bleeding.

Leqembi was first given “accelerated approval” by the Food and Drug Administration in January, which meant it was not fully covered by the Medicare program, which is managed by the government and is available to anyone who are 65 years of age and older.

Following more research on the medicine, a decision was made on Thursday that would result in Medicare covering a significant percentage of treatment costs, which were previously estimated by the drug’s manufacturers to be $26,500 annually.

“This confirmatory study verified that it is a safe and effective treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s disease,” said senior FDA official Teresa Buracchio in a statement.

The head of the organization that oversees Medicare, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, added: “This is good news for the millions of Americans and their families who are touched by this crippling illness.

However, Medicare beneficiaries will still be responsible for 20% of the cost, or thousands of dollars, on their own.

Alzheimer’s disease, which is prevalent in 6.5 million Americans and is marked by memory loss and deteriorating mental sharpness, is also known as dementia.

Leqembi, often referred to as lecanemab, is an antibody therapy that is injected into the brain once every two weeks. It reduces amyloid beta, a protein that forms plaques and kills brain cells, as well as brain shrinkage.

Patient advocacy organizations applauded the FDA’s decision.

“This treatment, while not a cure, can give people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s more time to maintain their independence and do the things they love,” said Joanne Pike, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association.

This extends the number of months that individuals may celebrate their marriage, kids, and grandkids.

The second Alzheimer’s medication created by Eisai and Biogen to get approval was called Leqembi. The first, Aduhelm, was authorized in 2021, but the choice was heavily contested since the effectiveness findings were contradictory.

Donanemab, a medication from the US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, was announced as having a substantial slowing effect on cognitive loss related to Alzheimer’s disease in May.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. It gradually impairs thinking and memory, finally depriving individuals of the capacity to do even the most basic activities.