NICE Rejects Alzheimer's Drug Donanemab for NHS Use

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England has rejected the Alzheimer's drug donanemab for NHS use, citing its high cost as unjustifiable despite its potential to slow cognitive decline. This decision comes after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the drug for safety, but NICE emphasizes the need for cost-effective solutions due to the NHS's budget constraints. Donanemab, seen as a 'game-changer' for Alzheimer's, showed a 35% reduction in disease progression, which could enable patients to live at home longer. Critics, including Alzheimer's UK and pharmaceutical companies, argue this decision could deter future treatment launches in the UK and exacerbate the economic burden on families. Similar rejections have occurred with the drug lecanemab, highlighting NICE's rigorous cost-benefit analysis amidst finite NHS resources. The controversy underscores the tension between healthcare innovation and economic feasibility within public health systems.