FDA Approval of New Alzheimer’s Drug Sparks Controversy Over Cost, Efficacy

KQED's Forum

KQED

Politics, News, News Commentary

4.6 • 656 Ratings

🗓️ 25 June 2021

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Alzheimer's disease affects more than 6 million people in the U.S., and there have been no good existing treatment options. That seemed to change earlier this month when the FDA approved a new drug called Aduhelm that claims to slow the progression of the disease. But while some patients are celebrating the news, many scientists say the drug will deliver marginal, or even no, benefits and that it could have risky side effects. And at a cost of $56,000 annually per patient, some members of the U.S. Senate are calling for an investigation into how the drug will affect the Medicare program. We discuss the controversy around the FDA’s approval of Aduhelm and we’ll get an update on Alzheimer’s research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:58.1	From KQED.
1:15.1	From KQED Public Radio in San Francisco, I'm Alexis Madrigal.
1:21.0	The first new treatment for Alzheimer's disease in nearly 20 years was just approved by the FDA.
1:25.2	That means a lot to Arthena Kasten, an Alzheimer's patient and advocate.
1:27.1	Here she is on the podcast tradeoffs.
1:33.2	When I got to speak to the FDA, I asked for just a little more time.
1:38.9	I want to be right here, enjoy the time I have with my husband and my family.
1:43.5	But the FDA's own advisory committee said the drug had not been proven effective, and one of its members
1:44.7	called the FDA decision probably the worst drug approval decision in recent U.S. history.
1:50.4	We'll dig into the controversy.
1:52.2	Then at 940, an ode to the sounds that make the Bay Area what it is that's all next on
1:56.9	Forum after this news.
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