The first drug to demonstrate its ability to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s is now available, however, it may still be several months before most patients can access treatment. According to experts, the slow introduction of the drug is due to limited insurance coverage and the lengthy set-up process required by many healthcare systems.
For those who overcome these obstacles, they will be at the forefront of receiving a drug that offers an uncertain benefit. Let’s take a closer look.
In early January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Leqembi, produced by Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai, for use in patients with mild or early-stage Alzheimer’s-related dementia. The approval was given through the FDA’s accelerated pathway, which allows drugs to be launched before their effectiveness in benefiting patients has been confirmed.
Clinical studies have shown that Leqembi modestly slows the progression of the fatal disease, but physicians are yet to determine its impact on patients’ independence and quality of life. The drug is administered intravenously every two weeks and Eisai has confirmed that it has been shipped to U.S. specialty drug distribution centers, allowing for quick delivery to hospitals and medical centers.
Eisai spokeswoman, Libby Holman, stated that prescriptions for the drug have already been written and patients are expected to start receiving it “very soon.”
The new Alzheimer’s drug, Leqembi, will cost approximately $26,500 per year for treatment.
The availability of the drug is limited to those who can afford it without insurance or are enrolled in specific research trials designed to test the drug, which are not currently accepting new patients.
Most patients who may benefit from Leqembi are on Medicare, however, the federal program’s coverage is narrow and currently only covers the drug for patients participating in these trials.
The Alzheimer’s Association has urged Medicare to reconsider its stance on coverage. Insurance providers that offer Medicare Advantage have also maintained the same coverage decision.
However, coverage may change if the drug receives full approval from the FDA, which is expected later this year. To assist patients, Eisai has established a program that provides Leqembi for free, partially based on financial need.
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