A second groundbreaking drug for Alzheimer’s disease has been rejected for widespread use by the NHS in England. According to the drugs spending watchdog, the drug known as Donanemab does not offer sufficient value for money
Donanemab was heralded as an Alzheimer’s turning point drug last year, so news of non-NHS use has caused concern across the UK.
This decision comes just months after the rejection of another promising drug, lecanemab. Both drugs target amyloid beta, a protein that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. While these medications have shown promise in slowing cognitive decline, their high cost has proved to be a major hurdle.
A significant blow to Alzheimer’s patients and families
Alzheimer’s patient groups and their families have been disappointed by the news. Many had hoped that these new drugs would revolutionise the treatment of the disease. However, NICE’s decision highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing innovation with affordability within the NHS.
Donanemab: The cost-benefit conundrum for pharmaceuticals
NICE has ruled that it would not be a good use of taxpayers’ money and was five to six times more expensive than the NHS normally considers acceptable. While they may offer some benefits, the question remains whether the additional cost to the NHS justifies the potential improvement in patient outcomes.
The future of Alzheimer’s treatment
Despite these setbacks, researchers remain optimistic about the future of Alzheimer’s treatment. Ongoing research explores various approaches, including targeting other proteins involved in the disease and developing preventative therapies.
As the global population ages, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rise. Healthcare systems worldwide must prioritise research and development to find effective and affordable treatments.
