Alzheimer's drug Lecanemab approved for use in the UK, but not on the NHS

Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, responds to the announcements: 

Today’s MHRA approval of the first safe and effective Alzheimer’s disease treatment, shown to slow progression, is a defining moment for people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease in the UK and a significant step towards a more hopeful future.

While we welcome the MHRA approval, it is disappointing that NICE has not recommended approving lecanemab for use on the NHS at this stage. The news that lecanemab will be restricted to certain groups of patients will also lead to uncertainty for many people with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones.

We respect the decisions regulators have made, however we know these announcements will bring a mix of emotions for those who have been waiting a long time since the promising trial results were first announced.

Addressing challenges in diagnosis 

The NICE recommendation reflects the urgent challenges which must be addressed regarding how we diagnose and treat people with dementia. A third of people affected by dementia have not received a diagnosis, and for those who have been diagnosed, it’s often not early or accurate enough for a person to be eligible for new treatments.

A dementia diagnosis not only opens up the potential for treatment. It is also the single most effective route to the care, support and information we know is so important for everyone living with dementia and their loved ones.

Making dementia a priority

Now more than ever, Alzheimer’s Society is calling on Governments and health systems across the UK to prioritise dementia by improving early diagnosis in order to deliver ground-breaking treatments at scale.

We know first-hand the devastation that dementia causes and would encourage anyone with dementia or concerns about potential symptoms to contact Alzheimer’s Society for support.