The Controversial Alzheimer's Drug Approval

The podcast discusses the recent approval of a controversial Alzheimer's drug called Adjuhelm. The drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even though its effectiveness is still uncertain. It has shown potential in reducing neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, two signs of Alzheimer's in the brain. However, there is no evidence that eliminating these signs improves the symptoms and functioning of Alzheimer's patients. Despite the uncertainty, the drug is extremely expensive, costing $56,000 per year per patient, leading to concerns about its high cost and questionable benefits. This approval reflects larger problems with the healthcare system, as it highlights the prioritization of expensive medications over more practical and effective support for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.