Sales of the groundbreaking Alzheimer’s drug, Leqembi, have been disappointing since its release in the U.S. over a year ago. Despite being the first drug to show promise in slowing the progression of the disease, major hospital systems have been slow to adopt it and some insurers have refused coverage.
Doctors are wary of the drug’s limited effectiveness and potential side effects, including brain swelling and bleeding, which require regular monitoring through brain scans. This has led to hesitation among patients to take the drug, further impacting its sales.
Requests for coverage and treatment access have proven to be challenging for many patients, with insurance denials and delays in starting treatments. Health systems are now working to streamline the delivery process, coordinating diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring to ensure the drug is administered correctly.
The Mayo Clinic, Cedars-Sinai health system, and Banner Health are among the institutions that have recently started administering Leqembi, with plans to expand access in the future. However, researchers stress that more work is needed to improve diagnosis and maximize the drug’s effectiveness.
As researchers continue to study Alzheimer’s disease and develop new treatments, they recognize the complexity of the condition and the need for combination therapies. Despite the challenges facing Leqembi, there is hope that with continued research and development, better treatments will be available in the future.
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