Today, Explained

A $55,000 drug that doesn’t cure Alzheimer’s

Jun 21, 2021
Adam Feuerstein, a senior writer at Stat specializing in pharmaceuticals, delves into the FDA's controversial approval of Aduhelm, a $55,000 drug for Alzheimer's. He highlights the mixed responses from the scientific community regarding its effectiveness. The discussion also covers the ethical dilemmas tied to the drug's high cost and the implications for patients seeking hope in their treatment. Feuerstein raises critical questions about the relationship between the FDA and pharmaceutical companies, emphasizing the need for reform in drug approval processes.
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INSIGHT

Current Alzheimer's Treatments

  • Current Alzheimer's drugs only treat symptoms for a short time.
  • This new drug, Aduhelm, targets the underlying cause.
INSIGHT

Amyloid and Alzheimer's

  • Alzheimer's research has focused on amyloid, a protein that clumps in the brain.
  • This clumping is thought to be a primary cause of the disease.
ANECDOTE

Aduhelm's Journey

  • Initial excitement for Aduhelm arose in 2015 after a smaller clinical trial.
  • Later, two larger phase 3 studies were halted in 2019 due to perceived futility.
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