![\"Lecanemab](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1e3e6c3e-8100-4f41-ab7f-987089fe3f4b.jpg\")
One of the drugs being reconsidered for NHS approval<\/p>\n
The appeal argued that Nice\u2019s appraisal process had failed to take into account the \u201cfull value\u201d of the drugs for the economy. This includes the benefits in relieving costs on caregivers and the wider NHS and care system, as well as improving the quality of life of patients and families. <\/p>\n
About 70,000 patients in England in the early stages of Alzheimer\u2019s could benefit from the drugs if they are approved on the NHS. The treatments, given as a drip, are available privately in the UK, costing about \u00a360,000 a year.<\/p>\n
Chris Stokes of Lilly, which makes donanemab, said: \u201cThis is a big moment in the battle against Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Nice was right to look again at the evidence in front of them and it\u2019s welcome that our appeal has been upheld. For people living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and for the families and carers who support them, this matters \u2014 perhaps now more than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Eli](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/adcfe085-8ad6-4823-ae65-e5d8a3d35cd4.jpg\")
Chris StokesJulian Benjamin for the times<\/p>\n
Eisai, which makes lecanemab, said: \u201cThis news offers a welcome glimmer of hope for the Alzheimer\u2019s disease community in England.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are keen to work quickly with Nice to assess this treatment effectively, because while we wait, Alzheimer\u2019s disease does not.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two drugs are the first to treat the underlying cause of Alzheimer\u2019s disease by clearing toxic amyloid protein from the brain, delaying cognitive decline by four to six months. However, they have dangerous side-effects, including a risk of brain swelling and bleeding.<\/p>\n
More than 130 drugs are in development for Alzheimer\u2019s around the world and the NHS is being urged to prepare for a new era of dementia treatment.<\/p>\n
Michelle Dyson, the chief executive of the Alzheimer\u2019s Society, said: \u201cWe welcome Nice\u2019s decision to look again at the case for lecanemab and donanemab, particularly at the significant impact of dementia on unpaid carers. We know that carers are too often pushed to breaking point and this needs to be properly recognised.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople living with dementia are desperate for new treatments that delay the progression of symptoms and help them stay independent for longer. The science is moving fast and globally more people are starting to access these drugs, but the UK is falling behind. With over 30 Alzheimer\u2019s disease drugs in late-stage clinical trials, there are likely to be more treatments submitted for approval soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government must be ambitious about preparing for new treatments in their upcoming dementia plan. Time is ticking and it\u2019s important that people with dementia in the UK don\u2019t miss out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: \u201cThe independent appeal panel has ruled that some elements the committee used to inform its decision-making in relation to the cost-effectiveness of donanemab and lecanemab need further consideration.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo today we have announced we will give stakeholders an opportunity to provide more information for the committee to help it address the areas of continuing uncertainty highlighted by the appeal panel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout our assessment of donanemab and lecanemab we have done everything we possibly can to try and achieve a positive outcome, including providing an additional opportunity for evidence to be submitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s decision underlines our commitment to continuing that process.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Thousands of patients have been given a \u201cglimmer of hope\u201d of accessing revolutionary Alzheimer\u2019s drugs on the NHS…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":487124,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[102,2960,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-487123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-healthcare","tag-health","tag-healthcare","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/487123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=487123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/487123\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/487124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=487123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=487123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=487123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}