Donanemab may be licensed for use in the UK, according to the UK’s pharmaceuticals regulator, which made the statement.
It “does not currently demonstrate value for the NHS,” according to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which monitors health spending.
In just a few months, NICE has rejected a new Alzheimer’s treatment for the second time.
Donanemab, also marketed as Kisunla, is a targeted antibody medication that slows down the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and is produced by pharmaceutical behemoth Eli Lilly.
It has been hailed as a significant advancement in research, along with another novel Alzheimer’s medication named lecanemab, because they both have it.
NICE’s Helen Knight commented on the new draft guidance that rejected the drug, saying: “A treatment must offer additional benefits to patients and be a good use of NHS resources and taxpayer money in order for NICE to approve it for use in the NHS.
“Our unbiased committee looked at every available piece of evidence, including the benefits for caregivers.”
“This indicates that donanemab may slow down cognitive decline by four to seven months, but the added expense to the NHS is simply not worth it.
