Luxembourg patients will eventually be able to access a new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease, but there are still several administrative steps ahead before it is available, Health Minister Martine Deprez said on Wednesday.
Answering a parliamentary question, Deprez confirmed that the drug Leqembi has been authorised for use in all EU member states by the European Commission, includes in Luxembourg.
However, “it is currently difficult to evaluate when the drug will effectively be available in Luxembourg,” Deprez said.
Leqembi, produced by Eisai and Biogen, is not a cure for Alzheimer’s but significantly slows down cognitive decline. It consistently reduces amyloid beta deposits in the brain, which are considered to be one of the main causes of the death of nerve cells in Alzheimer’s disease.
The drug is intended for adults who suffer from an early form of Alzheimer’s and fulfil certain genetic requirements. Some adults, wo carry the ApoE4 gene, cannot use it as there is an increased risk of severe side-effects.
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The health ministry’s Division of Pharmacy and Medicines (DPM) is currently registering the drug and its packaging in the national database. Once this is done, a commission of experts will determine how the drug can be prescribed, dispensed and administered.
Based on this decision, the drug may be added to the national list of reimbursable medicines or billed directly by a hospital, but to do this, the company must apply for a price to be set.
It is only after the price is set and reimbursement approved by the CNS that Leqembi can be marketed and reimbursed in Luxembourg, Deprez said.
“Until the drug is actually available, doctors may submit a request to the CNS for patients for whom treatment with the drug is indicated,” she continued.
If the medical board and social security approve it, eligible patients can receive Leqembi and have the costs covered by the CNS.