Donanemab Alzheimer's Drug Rejected for NHS Funding Due to High Costs
The recent decision by the NHS in England to reject the funding of a new Alzheimer’s drug, Donanemab, has sparked widespread discussion. Approved earlier by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the drug can be prescribed privately, but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) ruled it will not be covered by the NHS due to its high cost and limited benefits.
Donanemab, developed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by clearing amyloid proteins from the brain, was seen as a breakthrough when it first emerged. However, despite the excitement, NICE concluded that its benefits—slowing cognitive decline by four to seven months—did not justify the financial burden it would place on the healthcare system. With estimates suggesting that Donanemab could cost the NHS five-to-six times more than what is considered acceptable, NICE argued that the improvement in patients' conditions was simply not significant enough for the price.
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Another issue is that Donanemab is not a cure, but a treatment aimed at slowing the disease’s progression. Even with the drug, patients will not recover; they only experience a slower decline in cognitive abilities, potentially extending their independence at home by a few months. The treatment also carries risks, including brain swelling and bleeds, which require careful monitoring. This adds to the overall cost, making the treatment even more expensive for the NHS.
It is estimated that around 70,000 adults in England could have been eligible for the treatment. However, given its high price and the relatively modest benefits, NICE’s decision reflects the difficult balance between offering innovative treatments and managing healthcare budgets responsibly. While Donanemab represents a promising step forward in Alzheimer’s research, NHS officials have deemed it not to be a cost-effective use of public resources at this time.
Many people affected by Alzheimer’s, including patients and their families, have expressed disappointment over the decision. However, experts remain hopeful that this is only the beginning of new treatments for the disease, with other potential therapies currently in development.
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