The UK government will not be paying for the newly approved Alzheimer’s drug Kisunla, as an independent watchdog agency has deemed it not worth the cost to taxpayers. Kisunla, also known as donanemab, has shown some evidence of efficacy in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s in people in the early stages of the disease by removing a sticky protein from the brain believed to cause the condition. However, the drug’s cost of $32,000 for a year’s worth of treatment, along with the need for regular intravenous infusions and monitoring for potential severe side effects, has led to the decision not to fund it.
While this news may disappoint those living with dementia and their families, experts point out that new treatments like Kisunla provide hope for future advancements in Alzheimer’s care. Despite the setback, there are approximately 20 Alzheimer’s drugs in advanced studies, and more are expected to be submitted for approval in the coming years. Fiona Carragher, chief policy and research officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, highlights the progress seen in other diseases like cancer, where treatments have become more effective, safer, and cheaper over time, expressing hope for similar advancements in dementia care.
The decision not to fund Kisunla in the UK reflects the challenges faced in evaluating the value of new treatments for Alzheimer’s and underscores the importance of continued research in developing safer and more effective therapies for the disease.
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