In January, we launched a new position paper on anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, calling for concrete actions to ensure safe, timely and equitable access to these innovative medicines, for all people with early AD who could benefit from treatment. The position paper, together with an accompanying call to action, has just been published as a special article in the February edition of the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease (JPAD).
Anti-amyloid drugs represent a new hope for many people with AD, with the potential to slow the progressive, clinical decline associated with the disease. However, the benefits and risks of initiating treatment are multifaceted and complex, as are the findings from high-profile clinical trials such as CLARITY-AD and TRAILBLAZER-AD. Together with eligibility and safety concerns, access to anti-amyloid drugs is also major challenge - dependent on a timely and accurate diagnosis of early AD, with biomarker confirmation of AD pathology. Inadequate resourcing of European healthcare systems excludes many from accessing a timely diagnosis, patient-centered support, care and treatments.
The Alzheimer Europe position was developed following engagement with its national members and the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD). Together, we identified three priority areas to support equitable access to anti-amyloid therapies: effective communication of risks and benefits; an accurate, timely diagnosis; and healthcare systems preparedness. The JPAD paper also lists concrete, enabling actions for industry, regulators, payers, healthcare systems and governments. These include the adoption of realistic, sustainable pricing policies for anti-amyloid therapies; clear reimbursement frameworks that do not impact the coverage of existing interventions for people with dementia; as well as investment in infrastructures and workforce for diagnosis and treatment. Importantly, we call for continued investment in the development of diagnostics and treatments for other causes and stages of dementia, as well as support and care services that can help people live well with dementia at all stages.
To read the position paper and call to action, published as an Open Access article in JPAD, visit:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.14283/jpad.2024.37
To read the French translation of the Alzheimer Europe position paper and call to action, published by France Alzheimer, visit:
