Health

We'll say goodbye to international med students and hello to mumps. Governments, meanwhile, will clear patient backlogs with Al scribes and private surgical centres.

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1 A New Drug Will Revolutionize Alzheimer's Care

Canada's battle against Alzheimer's has a new weapon. Health Canada has conditionally approved lecanemab, a lab-made antibody designed to slow early-stage Alzheimer's by targeting amyloid plaques in the brain. Unlike existing drugs that only mask symptoms, lecanemab is the country's first disease-modifying therapy, offering the possibility of changing the trajectory of the illness for patients diagnosed early. It's no panacea: lecanemab cannot restore memories or reverse the disease, and eligibility is limited to those in the early stages who meet certain criteria. But with roughly 750,000 Canadians living with dementia, and treatment costs in the U.S. hitting $26,000 a year, the drug will provide some measure of hope.

2 Generic Ozempic Will Flood the Market

Weight-loss drugs are about to hit the discount aisle. About a million Canadians already use GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, which mimic a natural hormone that curbs appetite and regulates blood sugar. In January, Novo Nordisk's patent exclusivity will expire and, early next year, generic versions will hit Canadian pharmacies, slashing costs and expanding access. Big pharma companies will be lining up to sell cheaper versions, and the price drop could be substantial—from about $400 a month to under $100. Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca and Pfizer will all fight for market share.

3 Al Will Do Doctors' Dirty Work