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CADTH: New Alzheimer's Drug Not Worth Public Funding

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. w-alzheimer-s-drug-not-worth-public-funding.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, February 20th 2026 at 8:34 GMT by The Globe and Mail
      Locales: Ontario, Quebec, CANADA

Toronto, ON - February 20th, 2026 - Canada's drug assessment agency, the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), has delivered a stark assessment of lecanemab, marketed as Leqembi, and similar emerging Alzheimer's disease treatments: public funding is not currently justified. The agency's report, released this week, argues that the limited clinical benefit, substantial cost, and potential health risks associated with these drugs outweigh their advantages, raising crucial questions about healthcare prioritization and access to innovative, yet expensive, therapies.

The core of CADTH's recommendation stems from the findings that Leqembi, while demonstrating a slowing of cognitive decline in trials, achieves only a modest effect - approximately a few months. This relatively small benefit, coupled with the drug's hefty price tag of $3,390 per bi-weekly intravenous infusion, leads CADTH to conclude the drug is not cost-effective for inclusion on provincial and territorial drug formularies, which dictate which medications are publicly funded.

"Our assessment is not a denial of hope, but a realistic evaluation of value," explained Isabelle Picard, a senior medical advisor at CADTH, during a press conference. "We have a responsibility to ensure that public healthcare dollars are spent in a way that maximizes health outcomes for the greatest number of patients. In this case, the incremental benefit offered by Leqembi does not justify the substantial financial burden it would place on our system."

The assessment considers Leqembi as part of a new class of drugs targeting amyloid plaques, protein deposits in the brain considered a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. While the mechanism of action represents a potential breakthrough, clinical trials have revealed significant side effects, including brain swelling (cerebral edema) and bleeding (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities or ARIA). These risks require careful monitoring and potentially limit the number of patients who can safely receive the treatment.

CADTH's report isn't merely a financial calculation; it's a complex evaluation factoring in clinical trial data, real-world evidence, the drug's safety profile, and its potential impact on overall healthcare sustainability. The agency acknowledges the profound impact of Alzheimer's disease on patients and their families, emphasizing that the decision is not taken lightly. "We understand the desperate need for effective treatments," said Jeff Poston, vice-president of clinical and scientific affairs at CADTH. "But we must be diligent in ensuring that the therapies we fund demonstrably improve patient outcomes in a cost-effective manner."

The Alzheimer's Society of Canada has voiced strong disagreement with CADTH's recommendation, arguing that access to these new drugs should not be restricted, even if the benefit is modest. The organization champions the rights of individuals living with Alzheimer's and emphasizes the importance of hope and innovation in the fight against this devastating disease. They are advocating for alternative funding models and a reassessment of the criteria used to evaluate therapies for neurodegenerative conditions.

Biogen, the manufacturer of Leqembi, expressed its disappointment with the CADTH assessment, claiming it does not fully capture the drug's potential benefits. The company maintains its commitment to working with Canadian provinces and territories to explore options for patient access, potentially including negotiated pricing agreements or patient assistance programs. Several provinces, including Ontario, are already conducting their own evaluations, with some opting to delay coverage decisions until further real-world data becomes available, mirroring a growing trend of cautious adoption of high-cost, novel therapies.

This situation highlights a broader debate surrounding the funding of expensive, innovative drugs, particularly those addressing chronic and debilitating conditions. As medical advancements continue to push the boundaries of treatment, healthcare systems are increasingly challenged to balance the promise of new therapies with the need for fiscal responsibility and equitable access. The CADTH decision on Leqembi is likely to set a precedent for future evaluations of similar drugs and will undoubtedly fuel ongoing discussions about the value of healthcare innovation and the principles that should guide public funding decisions.