Try GOLD - Free
UK health regulator rejects lecanemab as Alzheimer's therapy
The Guardian
|August 23, 2024
The UK's health regulator has rejected a drug that can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, saying its benefits are too small to justify the costs of the therapy and close monitoring of patients for signs of "serious side-effects".
Lecanemab, which is given twice a month, removes sticky clumps of the protein amyloid beta from the brain, believed to be a hallmark of the disease. The drug is not a cure.
But in clinical trials, the therapy slowed cognitive decline by 27% in early Alzheimer's patients, compared with a placebo.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK's drugs regulator, gave the green light to the drug yesterday. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), the health regulator, simultaneously ruled out offering the drug on the NHS. It comes weeks after the EU's drugs regulator also rejected the drug, saying the risk of serious brain swelling did not outweigh its small impact on slowing cognitive decline. It also said the effects of the drug on delaying cognitive decline were small.
This story is from the August 23, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
'Heroic' rail worker in fight for life after tackling train knife attacker
Single suspect held over stabbings as 11 victims are treated in hospital
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
World Cup wave leaves Saracens riding high in the sun
The stars came out to dazzle a record Saracens crowd in a 47-10 derby win for the home side against Harlequins
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Goal machine Haaland's latest double fires City up to second
But Guardiola still criticises refereeing standards at Etihad by saying: They're brave here’
1 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Southampton sack Still as club slide into the danger zone
Southampton have sacked Will Still after the club dropped closer to the Championship relegation zone.
1 min
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
UK workforce risks loss of extra 600,000 people to poor health - study
An extra 600,000 people will leave the workforce in the next decade because of long-term health conditions unless there is \"a fundamental shift\" in how employers help maintain staff well-being, a report says.
1 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Nuno hails fans as Hammers hit back in rare win
Nuno Espírito Santo said that his West Ham team had given their fans “something small” to cling on to with a first victory of his tenure and that he hoped a performance of grit, ability and, perhaps most importantly, belief would give them momentum in their fight against relegation.
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Cycles of power The young bike fans reclaiming the streets of Johannesburg
On a hot Saturday spring morning, Karabo Mashele urged a group of female cyclists up the hills of a plush Johannesburg suburb.
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Shafali and Deepti the home heroes as India make history
Wolvaardt hits another hundred but South Africa pay for dropped catches in final
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Reeves is warned not to cut VAT on electricity bills
Proposals being considered by Rachel Reeves to cut tax on electricity bills will backfire, experts have warned, resulting in a giveaway to richer homeowners and undermining the UK's climate commitments.
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Wolves eye O'Neil and Edwards after Pereira exits
Wolves could turn to their former head coach Gary O'Neil after sacking Vítor Pereira, with Middlesbrough's Rob Edwards another leading candidate.
2 mins
November 03, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size