NHS Rejects £19,000 Alzheimer’s Drug for Use
The health service spending watchdog stated that the benefits of lecanemab were deemed too small to justify the significant cost, which could amount to £1.33 billion annually.
Despite being approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) this week, lecanemab, a drug that appears to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, was blocked for NHS use due to its “marginal” benefits compared to its cost.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), responsible for regulating NHS-prescribed drugs, expressed that the benefits of lecanemab were not large enough to be justified by the high cost. NICE aims to recommend treatments that offer good value to taxpayers.
Although the MHRA licensed lecanemab for use in the UK, NICE Director of Medicines Evaluation, Helen Knight, stated that the average 4 to 6 months slowing in progression from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease was insufficient to warrant the additional cost to the NHS.
Lack of Evidence of Lasting Effects
Knight also noted the lack of evidence on the long-term effects of lecanemab since the clinical trial outcomes were only reported after 18 months of treatment.
Alzheimer’s Research UK expressed disappointment in NICE’s decision, as it will now only be accessible to those who can afford private treatment. The charity urged Health Secretary Wes Streeting to intervene to make the drug more widely available.
With an estimated cost of £19,000 per patient per year, including drug administration, monitoring scans, outpatient reviews, and diagnostics, the overall cost to the NHS for lecanemab could reach £1.3 billion annually.
Alzheimer’s Research UK called for a more robust service for Alzheimer’s patients in England to accommodate the drug, stating that while lecanemab’s benefits are modest and carry potential side effects, its licensure reflects significant advancements in dementia research.
Lecanemab is a targeted antibody treatment designed to bind to amyloid, a protein that accumulates in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s. Administered through intravenous infusions fortnightly, the drug aims to clear this protein buildup and slow cognitive decline.
Surge in Alzheimer’s Diagnoses
Recent years have seen a sharp increase in Alzheimer’s cases, with experts predicting that one in three individuals born in the UK today will experience dementia. The causes of Alzheimer’s are not well understood, with various environmental and genetic risk factors believed to contribute to its development.
Alzheimer’s Research UK sees lecanemab as the start of a new era in Alzheimer’s treatment, with over 160 trials currently underway globally to test more than 125 experimental treatments for the condition.
The MHRA emphasized the importance of licensing medicines that meet safety, quality, and efficacy standards, demonstrating their commitment to upholding regulatory standards. The agency aims to enable the approval of new medicines efficiently and safely.
Public concern has been raised about the MHRA’s ties to the pharmaceutical industry, potentially leading to conflicts of interest. A group of parliamentarians urged the health and social care committee to investigate serious patient safety failings related to different drugs and medical devices.
A public consultation on NICE’s draft guidance for lecanemab is open until September 20, with the possibility of decisions being reversed based on feedback from stakeholders.
27 More Drugs Under NHS Consideration
Manufacturer Eisai is collaborating with NICE, the Scottish Medicines Consortium, and the NHS to bring lecanemab to the market at a potentially lower price point. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) raised concerns about the drug’s benefits not outweighing the risk of serious side effects such as brain bleeding and swelling.
NHS National Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, stated that the health service will await NICE’s final decision following the consultation on lecanemab. Additionally, 27 other drugs for Alzheimer’s treatment are under consideration for potential approval by 2030.
