T.The U.S. Veterans Health Administration will pay for certain beneficiaries to obtain new Alzheimer’s drugs from Eisai and Biogen.
The VA added Leqembi, which received accelerated approval from the Food and Drug Administration in January, to its list of over-the-counter drugs. According to the VA, patients who want to take the drug must request it, receive prior approval, and meet strict selection criteria. website.
read more: A new Alzheimer’s drug gives patients hope.Millions Can’t Get It
Leqembi is the first drug shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, which robs patients of memory and other brain functions, and Eisai says it expects it to reach $7.3 billion by 2030. increase. Amyloid associated with fatal disease.
Health officials severely restricted payments for a similar drug, Biogen’s Aduhelm, after it received accelerated approval, saying the data were not enough to show its efficacy. rejected early approval of another anti-amyloid drug called donanemab.
VA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
— with help from Angelica Peebles.
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