Debate rages over Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab as UK limits approval
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02720-y
By Diana Kwon
The debate over lecanemab, one of the first Alzheimer’s drugs to slow cognitive decline, is heating up. While the UK has approved it, the NHS has refused to offer it, citing high costs and small benefits. Lecanemab clears amyloid buildup in the brain, but questions remain about whether this leads to meaningful improvements. Supporters argue it gives patients valuable time, while critics worry about potential risks, like brain swelling. With costs topping $20,000 a year, and long-term effects still unclear, the question lingers: is lecanemab worth the risk?