Biogen's New Alzheimer's Drug Faces Hurdles Reaching Patients, Even if It's Approved
Millions of Americans may become eligible for the controversial treatment. Doctors and insurers could be hard pressed to provide it.
Aducanumab, delivered in monthly intravenous infusions, is thought to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in people who show early signs of cognitive impairment.
Photographer: Matt York/AP Photo
Across the U.S., millions of families are anxiously awaiting a decision on a new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease. An approval would provide hope for families eager for anything that might improve their loved ones’ lives. Yet if the drug reaches the market, the U.S. health system may have a hard time getting it to the people who might benefit.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to decide by June 7 if the drug, called aducanumab and made by Biogen Inc., works well enough to allow it on the market. If they do, it will trigger a cascading series of questions about who will get the new drug, how they’ll get it, how much it will cost and who will pay for it.