US VA to cover Eisai, Biogen Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi
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[March 14, 2023]
(Reuters) -Eisai Co Ltd and Biogen Inc said on Monday that the
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) will provide coverage of their
Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi to veterans at an early stage of the
memory-robbing disease.
The VA did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a
document on its website shows that the agency added Leqembi to its list
nonformulary drugs, making it available provided patients request it,
receive prior approval, and meet strict inclusion criteria for the
drug's use.
The VA's coverage comes as initial patient access to the recently
approved drug remains limited by a number of factors including
reimbursement restrictions by the government's Medicare health program
for Americans aged 65 and older, who represent some 90% of individuals
likely to be eligible for Leqembi.
The companies set an initial annual price of about $26,500 for Leqembi.
The drug, known chemically as lecanemab, belongs to a class of antibody
treatments designed to slow advance of the neurodegenerative disease by
removing sticky clumps of the toxic protein beta amyloid from the brain.
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![](../images/031423PIX/health67.jpg)
The Alzheimer's drug Leqembi is seen in
this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on January 20, 2023.
Eisai/Handout via REUTERS
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Mar/14/images/ads/current/debbiesfloral_lda_021023.png)
Leqembi has so far been approved in
the U.S. under the Food and Drug Administration's accelerated review
program. Medicare currently restricts drugs in its class approved
under that pathway.
The treatment is currently undergoing the FDA's standard review
process, which will weigh its impact on cognitive function.
Eisai and Biogen have said they expect full U.S. approval for
Leqembi by summer or late this year, which would likely open up
coverage by Medicare and other health insurers.
(Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein in Washington and Pratik Jain in
Bengaluru; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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