The Veterans’ Health Administration covers Eisai And biogenic‘s Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi for some patients, the companies announced on Monday.
In a statement, Eisai said veterans in the early stages of the disease who meet VHA criteria are eligible for Leqembi coverage. The company did not provide any further information on these criteria.
CNBC has contacted the VHA for more information.
The VHA is the nation’s largest health care system, serving veterans at nearly 1,300 facilities nationwide. The system serves 9 million veterans annually. According to federal estimates, nearly 168,000 veterans had Alzheimer’s disease in 2022.
The Food and Drug Administration accelerated approval of Leqembi in January. However, Medicare essentially doesn’t cover the expensive treatment, which Eisai has put at $26,500 a year.
The senior insurance program currently only covers treatments like Leqembi for participants in clinical trials. Eisai has already completed his process.
Join us for CNBC’s Healthy Returns on March 29, where we’re hosting a virtual gathering of healthcare CEOs, scientists, investors and innovators to reflect on the advances made today in reinventing the future of medicine. We also have an exclusive look at the best investment opportunities in biopharma, healthcare technology and managed care. Learn more and register today: http://bit.ly/3DUNbRo
Medicare has agreed to provide broader coverage of Leqembi once it receives full FDA approval. Eisai and Biogen expect the agency to make a decision on full approval in July.
Leqembi slowed cognitive decline by 27% in people with early-stage Alzheimer’s in a late-stage study. Treatment also carries the risk of brain swelling and bleeding.
Leqembi is given as an intravenous infusion twice a month. It targets brain plaques associated with the disease.
Comments are closed.