Quick Take:
– The drug Leqembi, a weapon to slow Alzheimer’s, has received a big thumbs-up from the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Phew, finally! Only one tiny problem: it costs as much as a Tesla.
– Leqembi, thanks to its Swedish roots (originally Lekanemab), is the first of its kind approved by the FDA. Though only intended for people with early-stage or mild Alzheimer’s. No freebies here!
– Costing $26,500 with additional expenses, an annual treatment could go north of $90k. Probably best to leave the house to the grandkids and start transforming that basement into a luxury medical suite.
In a nutshell
In a fantastic display of generosity, pharmaceutical companies Eisai and Biogen have managed to squeeze the approval of a yearly six-figure sum out of the pockets of Alzheimer’s patients. What’s more, the FDA have given their golden seal for Leqembi which is expected to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Money – the Best Medicine
Imagine being the proud holder of the first-ever FDA approved drug for Alzheimer’s. Now imagine charging almost a quarter of a million for it. Welcome to the world of Leqembi, made from the Swedish drug Lekanemab. The drug is meant for people with early-stage or mild Alzheimer’s.
“Affordable” Care?
Now the tricky part, affordability. Leqembi might ring up a pretty penny ($26,500) but that’s just the intro price. Yes, the devil is in the details. The actual annual cost of treatment with hidden fees could exceed $90,000. So, Alzheimer’s patients might need to assess whether they’re willing to give up their retirement savings, or their memory.
Proven Technology
Science part – the drug reduces the formation of misfolded proteins in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients. While there are other drugs with similar effects, none of them have yet been fortunate enough to win the FDA lottery.
The last Word
So let’s keep our fingers crossed for Uncle FDA and Auntie Eisai for making their money move. And here’s hoping they’ll decide to invest in a spin-off — a wallet’s version of Alzheimer’s, where patients forget how much money they *used* to have.
Article source: [“Amerikansk myndighet godkänner Alzheimers-medicin”](feber.se/vetenskap/amerikansk-myndighet-godkanner-alzheimers-medicin/453424/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed) by Frode Wikesjö from feber.se.
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