Following review the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a product licence for the medicine lecanemab (Leqembi) for use in adult patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
This is the first treatment for Alzheimer’s disease licensed for use in Great Britain that shows some evidence in slowing progression of the disease.
However, the drug will currently not be available on the NHS in England following draft guidance published on 22 August from The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). A final decision by NICE is expected by end of the year following a public consultation.
This means that Lecanemab can currently be prescribed privately.
Commenting, Dr Mohan Bhat, Chair of the Faculty of old age psychiatry at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
"We welcome the consideration by the MHRA and NICE of lecanemab for use in patients with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The licensing of the first ever disease modifying drug for dementia is a hugely important moment that should not go unrecognised.
"It is disappointing that the drug did not reach the threshold for value for money that would mean it is available on the NHS in England, though we note that decision is still open to consultation.
"This is still huge progress, and we hope it will herald the arrival of more cost-effective treatments for dementia in the near future. As this develops we must ensure our NHS services are ready to deliver them to patients who will benefit."
In 2021 the Royal College of Psychiatrists partnered with Alzheimer’s Research UK to publish a report, led by Dr Robert Barber, on the issue.
View the report: Are we ready to deliver disease-modifying treatments?’ Old Age Psychiatrists’ views on diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s disease before dementia.