Health Canada has given the green light to a new drug that has demonstrated effectiveness in delaying the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab, the first drug in Canada designed to target the accumulation of amyloid plaque in the brain, has been approved. Considered a breakthrough, this lab-manufactured antibody attaches to amyloid proteins, assisting in their neutralization and removal from the brain. It is crucial for Lecanemab to be administered during the early stages of dementia when mild cognitive impairment is present.
Adam Morrison, a representative of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, expressed the anticipation among patients and families for the approval of Lecanemab, also known as Leqembi. The Alzheimer societies are actively advocating for Health Canada and provincial governments to hasten the drug’s availability and ensure public funding to make it accessible to all eligible patients. The cost of the medication is approximately $26,000 US per year in other nations.
Although Lecanemab is not a cure, it is a treatment that requires intravenous administration every two weeks. MRI scans are necessary to monitor potential side effects. Dr. Andrew Frank, a cognitive neurologist and medical director of the Bruyere Memory Program in Ottawa, outlined potential side effects, including brain swelling or bleeding, which are often detectable on MRI scans without causing noticeable symptoms.
The drug has been approved in around 50 countries and received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023. Lecanemab underwent a global Phase 3 clinical trial, with ongoing submission of clinical assessment data from real-world practice. Dr. Frank emphasized the importance of making such medications accessible to Canadians, allowing individuals to weigh the benefits of slowing the disease against the risks of serious side effects.
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