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Alzheimer’s drug that slowed progression of dementia in early trials approved in Canada
The once-monthly antibody slows cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s, but public drug coverage remains uncertain as plans weigh the $47,250 annual price.
- On Friday, Health Canada approved donanemab, branded as Kisunla, a once-monthly intravenous antibody for patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer disease, marking the second disease-modifying treatment authorized in Canada.
- Unlike older medications that address only symptoms, donanemab targets and clears beta-amyloid, a protein that congeals into sticky clumps in the brain and triggers cell death, following lecanemab's approval last October.
- Eli Lilly Canada Inc. set a $47,250 annual list price for donanemab, which patients can stop taking after 18 months, though both donanemab and lecanemab require MRI monitoring for rare but serious side effects.
- Canada Drug Agency recently advised public plans not to reimburse similar Alzheimer drugs, citing unclear clinical benefits, threatening to limit access despite donanemab's approval in 48 other countries.
- Behavioral neurologist Sharon Cohen of the Toronto Memory Program stated the approval "really cements the change that we see in our field," emphasizing that slowing disease progression represents highly valued milestones despite not being a cure.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources6
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
L 25%
C 75%
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