On June 1, 2023, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) arrived at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
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On Wednesday, Senator Bernie Sanders urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take action to make the expensive Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi affordable for seniors.
In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Sanders, who chairs the Senate Health Committee, criticized the $26,500 annual price set by drugmakers Eisai and Biogen as “unconscionable.”
Sanders expressed concern that the high cost of Leqembi would burden Medicare and increase premiums for seniors, jeopardizing their access to the treatment. He called on HHS to exercise its authority to break Leqembi’s patent monopoly if the drugmakers refuse to lower the price.
Sanders also suggested that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) could limit the amount it pays for Leqembi to reflect the drug’s actual benefit.
According to Sanders, most Medicare patients with Alzheimer’s would struggle to afford the 20% co-payment, which amounts to over $5,000 per year for Leqembi. This represents a significant portion of their median income.
Sanders emphasized the need for affordable access to prescription drugs, stating that they are ineffective if patients cannot afford them.
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review has estimated that Leqembi should be priced between $8,900 and $21,500 per year, considerably lower than Eisai’s list price.
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However, Eisai argues that its $26,500 annual list price for Leqembi is lower than the drug’s estimated total value of $37,600 per patient. Medicare plans to cover Leqembi pending FDA approval.
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSur has announced that Medicare will provide coverage for Leqembi on the same day the FDA approves the treatment. The FDA is expected to make a decision by July 6.
A panel of independent advisors will vote on Leqembi’s clinical benefit to patients, and while the FDA is not obligated to follow their advice, a positive vote would support the drug’s approval.
Sanders warns that the current cost of Leqembi will strain Medicare’s finances and increase premiums for over 60 million seniors, whether they need the drug or not. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that Leqembi could cost Medicare $5 billion per year.
The restrictive coverage policy for Alzheimer’s antibody drugs like Leqembi was implemented following the controversial approval of Aduhelm, another drug developed by Biogen and Eisai.
Sanders calls on the FDA to restore public trust after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with Biogen during the review process for Aduhelm.
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Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Read CNBC’s latest health coverage:
However, Eisai argues that its $26,500 annual list price for Leqembi is lower than the drug’s estimated total value of $37,600 per patient. Medicare plans to cover Leqembi pending FDA approval.
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSur has announced that Medicare will provide coverage for Leqembi on the same day the FDA approves the treatment. The FDA is expected to make a decision by July 6.
A panel of independent advisors will vote on Leqembi’s clinical benefit to patients, and while the FDA is not obligated to follow their advice, a positive vote would support the drug’s approval.
Sanders warns that the current cost of Leqembi will strain Medicare’s finances and increase premiums for over 60 million seniors, whether they need the drug or not. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that Leqembi could cost Medicare $5 billion per year.
The restrictive coverage policy for Alzheimer’s antibody drugs like Leqembi was implemented following the controversial approval of Aduhelm, another drug developed by Biogen and Eisai.
Sanders calls on the FDA to restore public trust after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with Biogen during the review process for Aduhelm.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.