A ‘wonder drug’ that could slow the progression of the early stages of Alzheimer’s will not be available on the NHS in England. This is because health assessment body NICE has said that its benefits are “too small to justify the costs.” Lecanemab is licensed for use in Great Britain by medicines regulator the MHRA. That means that it can be prescribed privately.
Trials have found that the drug can slow the cognitive decline by about a quarter for patients with the earliest stages of the condition over 18 months. But draft guidance from NICE said that there had been a significant cost to the treatment. That includes intensive monitoring for side effects and fortnightly visits to the hospital.
“The approval of lecanemab is a milestone moment but the decision by NICE not to approve it for the NHS is deeply disappointing,” said David Thomas head of policy of Alzheimer’s Research UK. The organisation also said it was “a bittersweet moment.”
NICE had rigorously evaluated the available evidence, according to Dr Samanta Roberts, the organisation’s chief executive. This includes the benefits for carers but that only treatments that “offer good value to the taxpayer” would be recommended.
“Lecanemab provides on average four to six months’ slowing in the rate of progression from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, but this is just not enough benefit to justify the additional cost to the NHS,” said Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE. A final decision from NICE will come later in the year after a public consultation.
Around 70,000 adults would be eligible for treatment with the drug in England. Wales and Northern Ireland often follow medical guidance in England while the body which assesses newly licensed medicine and drugs in Scotland has yet to make a decision.
NHS England has a team looking at 27 other Alzheimer’s drugs that are currently undergoing advanced trials and could be approved over the coming years.
