UK | Donanemab and lecanemab have been advised to not be provided on the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
On Thursday, 19 June, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published final draft guidance for donanemab and lecanemab, the first disease-modifying treatments for early Alzheimer’s disease, which stated the medicines should not be provided on the NHS.
Alzheimer's UK said it was so proud that Alzheimer’s Society-funded research 30 years ago led to the treatment breakthroughs being seen today.
“There is no doubt that today’s decision is a setback for people with Alzheimer’s disease. It is highly disappointing that we are in a situation where treatments that slow the progression of the condition are not available on the NHS,” said Professor Fiona Carragher, Alzheimer’s Society’s Chief Policy and Research Officer.
"The reality we’re faced with is that these treatments remain out of reach of both the NHS and most eligible people with Alzheimer’s disease. In other diseases like cancer, treatments have become more effective, safer and cheaper over time. It’s essential we see similar progress in dementia."
“The fact is, even if donanemab and lecanemab were made available on the NHS tomorrow, too many patients wouldn’t be able to access them because the health system isn’t ready to deliver them."
Carragher said that what is needed now is for the UK government to commit to the long-term investment needed to fundamentally change dementia diagnosis outcomes so that the sector is ready for new treatments.
“This relies on an early diagnosis and access to specialist diagnostic tests, yet currently a third of people with dementia don’t have a diagnosis at all,” said Carragher.
“The needs of people with dementia have long been overlooked and this cannot continue. We are heading towards a future where disease-slowing treatments reduce the devastating impact of dementia, and we cannot afford to delay preparing the NHS for them.”
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