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NHS Rejects Alzheimer’s Drug Lecanemab Over Cost Concerns Despite Approval Elsewhere. The NHS in England will not offer the first drug to slow early-stage Alzheimer's, Lecanemab, due to concerns that the benefits do not justify its high costs, according to NICE, BBC News reports. Lecanemab, approved by the UK’s MHRA, is available privately but not on the NHS; the drug slows cognitive decline by about 25% over 18 months. NICE highlighted the significant costs and side effects associated with Lecanemab, including intensive monitoring and fortnightly hospital visits, making it too costly for NHS use. Alzheimer’s Research UK called the decision "bittersweet," celebrating the drug's approval but disappointed it won't be available on the NHS. Around 70,000 adults in England could have been eligible for Lecanemab treatment, but NICE determined its modest benefits did not offer good value to taxpayers. The drug works by clearing amyloid proteins in the brain but poses risks such as brain bleeds and swelling, leading to restrictions on eligible patients. The European Medicines Agency rejected Lecanemab, citing small benefits and serious side effects, while it has been approved in the US, Japan, and China. Assessing eligibility for Lecanemab requires advanced diagnostic tools like PET brain scans or lumbar punctures, which are not standard in most UK hospitals. Despite modest benefits, experts view Lecanemab as a turning point, proving that Alzheimer's disease can be slowed, a significant milestone in dementia research. The decision to withhold Lecanemab from the NHS may lead to confusion and uncertainty for many of the nearly one million people living with dementia in the UK.
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