Japan’s Health Ministry has given its approval to Leqembi, a groundbreaking drug for Alzheimer’s disease. This drug, jointly developed by Japanese drugmaker Eisai Co. and US biotechnology firm Biogen Inc., is the first of its kind to be approved in a country with a rapidly aging population. The approval in Japan comes after two months of endorsement from the US Food and Drug Administration. Leqembi is designed for patients with mild dementia in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and is the first medication that can effectively slow the cognitive decline in such patients.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who announced Japan’s approval of Leqembi on Monday, described it as a “breakthrough” and stated that the “treatment of dementia has now entered a new era.” Kishida has made a commitment to enhance support for dementia patients and their families and is planning to launch a panel this week to discuss strategies for creating a dementia-friendly society. According to the Health Ministry, the number of dementia patients in Japan aged 65 years or older is projected to rise from the current 6 million to 7 million by 2025. However, it’s important to note that the drug may not be effective for everyone and, like other Alzheimer’s drugs, it carries the risk of dangerous side effects such as brain swelling and bleeding in rare cases.
Eisai has announced that it will conduct a post-marketing special use survey for all patients who are administered the drug as part of the Japanese Health Ministry’s procedures. The drug will be partially covered by health insurance and is expected to be available for clinical use by the end of the year. The price has yet to be determined, but it is anticipated to be expensive, according to the Kyodo News agency. Eisai’s CEO, Haruo Naito, expressed the company’s commitment to providing Leqembi as a new treatment option to those who need it and their families. He stated, “We aim to make an impact on the issues surrounding dementia in Japanese society.” (Read more Alzheimer’s disease stories.)
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.
