Cost of new Alzheimer's drug lecanemab could put it out of reach for many in Australia

This illustration depicts cells in an Alzheimer’s-affected brain, with abnormal levels of the beta-amyloid protein clumping together to form plaques, brown, that collect between neurons and disrupt cell function. Source: AAP / AP

The development of the first drug in 30 years that modifies the disease - and just the symptoms - of the most common form of dementia has given hope to patients.

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Published 2 September 2024 4:40pm

By Biwa Kwan, Sydney Lang

Presented by Ricky Kusumo

Source: SBS

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The development of the first drug in 30 years that modifies the disease - and just the symptoms - of the most common form of dementia has given hope to patients.

A global large-scale trial testing the use of Lecanemab provided the first evidence of a treatment to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's.

The drug Lecanemab [[Leh-canna-mab]] is now undergoing a regulatory approval process in Australia and other countries in the world, but it's exorbitant cost means few will be able to access it.

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