Lecanemab: First drug to slow Alzheimer’s too costly for NHS

Alzheimer’s Research UK said it was “a bittersweet moment”.

“The approval of lecanemab is a milestone moment but the decision by NICE not to approve it for the NHS is deeply disappointing,” said head of policy, David Thomas.

Dr Samantha Roberts, chief executive of NICE, said the body had rigorously evaluated the available evidence, including the benefit for carers, but could only recommend treatments that “offer good value to the taxpayer”.

“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 by NICE will come towards the end of the year following a public consultation.

About 70,000 adults in England would have been eligible for treatment with lecanemab.

Wales and Northern Ireland often follow medical guidance in England.

The body which assesses newly licensed medicines in Scotland has not yet made a decision on the value of the drug.

NHS England said a dedicated team was looking at 27 other Alzheimer’s drugs currently in advanced trials that could be approved in the coming years.