Canada’s Drug Agency has released a draft recommendation for lecanemab funding

Canada’s Drug Agency, which evaluates the clinical evidence, safety, cost effectiveness and system readiness of new medications to advise provinces and territories on public funding decisions, has issued a draft recommendation not to reimburse lecanemab. Lecanemab is a newly-approved disease modifying therapy for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease that received conditional approval from Health Canada in the fall.

"For people who were hoping to access the drug, this will come as hard news, and we’ re here to help ensure their voices are heard as we advocate for equitable access to new treatments,” said Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon CEO Jennifer Lyle. “For others affected by dementia, their supporters and members of the dementia research community, this remains a hopeful time as new treatments able to change the course of the disease emerge. We need to do everything in our power now to address our health-care system capacity and inequities to ensure that when a treatment is more widely financially accessible, we can actually deliver it. We have our work cut out for us.”

Among the systemic issues that would need to be addressed to implement lecanemab at scale, the Agency cited the need for significantly increased MRI capacity, expanded infusion services and improvements to ensuring that people receive a timely and accurate diagnosis. The Agency recognized that equity deserving groups, who already face barriers in accessing appropriate dementia care, are likely to disproportionately experience these challenges. The draft recommendation also referenced uncertain benefits and safety concerns.

This recommendation is disappointing for many people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families, however, the Agency’s decision is open for feedback until March 5, when a final recommendation is determined. The Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon will continue to advocate for equitable access to care, supports and emerging treatment options, while amplifying the voices of people with lived experience. We respect the important role the Agency plays in determining drug coverage. While it is disappointing that lecanemab was not recommended for coverage, we must use this as an opportunity to focus on system readiness and prepare for a quickly-emerging future.

To learn more about how what caregivers and people living with dementia feel about the risk and benefits of these emerging treatments, review our research findings Exploring attitudes and perceptions of disease-modifying therapies among British Columbians affected by dementia here.