Dementia Australia welcomes the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s decision to approve Lecanemab for use in the UK.
Lecanemab is currently being evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia. It is also approved for use in the US, Japan, China, South Korea and Israel.
Professor Christopher Rowe, director of the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT), agreed this was a welcome step from the UK drug regulator.
“While this is not a cure, it is an exciting and historic first step toward reducing the tremendous impact Alzheimer’s disease has on communities, not only on those who have the disease, but also on their families, caregivers and health and aged care services,” Professor Rowe said. .
“ADNeT looks forward to these and other promising treatments in development that together could bring about substantial positive change.
“Lecanemab is a drug, produced by Eisai, that slows the progression of symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloid plaques from the brain. Amyloid plaques play a key role in Alzheimer’s disease and their removal slows decline based on measures of cognition and daily functioning.”
While the UK medicines regulator approved Lecanemab, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence released draft guidance recommending that it not be provided through the UK National Health Service.
Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, said Dementia Australia looks forward to Lecanemab being approved for use in Australia.
“While this treatment will not be suitable for everyone, this is a step forward in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and represents a new hope for people affected by dementia. We look forward to Australians having the choice to access Lecanemab when clinically appropriate,” said Professor Buchanan.
These are exciting times in the field. While Lecanemab will not be a miracle cure, it represents the first step toward effective treatments.”
Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO, Dementia Australia