Canada’s Drug Agency has issued a preliminary recommendation against including lecanemab in public drug plans for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Lecanemab, an artificial antibody administered via intravenous infusion every two weeks, aims to target the amyloid plaque accumulation in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s without offering a cure or memory restoration. Approximately 772,000 Canadians are affected by dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most prevalent form.
Health Canada conditionally approved lecanemab in October 2025, marking it as the first disease-modifying Alzheimer’s treatment obtainable in Canada, extending the treatment for individuals in the early stages of the disease. Current Alzheimer’s medications mainly alleviate symptoms rather than altering the disease’s progression. Clinical trials conducted by the drug company across 50 countries revealed that lecanemab reduced cognitive and functional decline by 27% compared to a placebo over an 18-month period.
Dr. Howard Chertkow from the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging compared the drug’s impact to a modest advancement, rather than a significant breakthrough. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada expressed disappointment over the draft recommendation but highlighted that the final decision from Canada’s Drug Agency is open for feedback until March 5.
Dr. Samir Sinha, a geriatrician and clinician scientist in Toronto, cautioned that the effectiveness of lecanemab for all patients remains uncertain despite its approval for use in Canada. The treatment’s cost, estimated at nearly $30,000 per year dependent on the patient’s weight, is a significant factor. Patients are required to undergo testing for gene variants linked to potential adverse effects, limiting the drug to those with specific genetic profiles. Continuous monitoring through PET scans or MRIs is necessary for individuals on lecanemab to ensure safety and efficacy.
Authorities in Quebec and the UK have rejected the listing of lecanemab due to cost-effectiveness concerns and the limited benefits observed. The drug’s approval status and coverage in public health plans are subject to ongoing evaluation and feedback processes.
