What's the deal with that new Alzheimer's drug?

Explain It to Me

Vox Media Podcast Network

Education, Politics, News, Society & Culture

4.4 • 7.9K Ratings

🗓️ 16 June 2021

⏱️ 61 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Matt and Dara are joined by Vox's Dylan Scott to learn about aducanumab, the new drug that was recently approved by the FDA for treating Alzheimer's disease despite a lack of evidence of its effectiveness, possibly serious side effects, and a jaw-droppingly high price tag. Matt, Dara, and Dylan discuss the situation in light of lessons learned, or not quite learned, from the global pandemic. Then, some research is discussed that evaluates the effects of work requirements on supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) participation and the workforce. Resources: "The new Alzheimer's drug that could break Medicare" by Dylan Scott (June 10; Vox) "FDA's Decision to Approve New Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease" by Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, Director, FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (June 7) "The maddening saga of how an Alzheimer's 'cabal' thwarted progress toward a cure for decades" by Sharon Begley (June 25, 2019; STAT News) "What the Rich Don't Want to Admit About the Poor" by Ezra Klein (June 13; New York Times) White paper: "Employed in a SNAP? The Impact of Work Requirements on Program Participation and Labor Supply" by Colin Grey, et al. (Sept. 2019) Hosts: Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.com Dara Lind (@DLind), Immigration Reporter, ProPublica Dylan Scott (@dylanlscott), Policy Reporter, Vox Credits: Erikk Geannikis, Editor and Producer As the Biden administration gears up, we'll help you understand this unprecedented burst of policymaking. Sign up for The Weeds newsletter each Friday: vox.com/weeds-newsletter. The Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network production. Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcasts About Vox Vox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Follow Us: Vox.com Facebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Sputnik V is an awesome name for a vaccine.
0:03.6	Oh wait, I'd been thinking it was Sputnik V,
0:06.4	but it's apparently Sputnik V.
0:08.6	The V stands for victory.
0:10.3	That's awesome.
0:12.7	Pudin, man.
0:14.0	It's nailing the names.
0:15.3	Hello, welcome to another episode of the Weeds on the Box Media Podcast Network.
0:31.7	I'm Matthew Glacias here with Dylan Scott,
0:34.2	ProPublica's Darrell Linde.
0:36.2	We are here to talk today about some exciting action in the world of pharmaceutical pricing
0:42.1	and possibly an exciting development in the world of actually treating Alzheimer's.
0:47.8	But I guess part of the story here is that it seems not that exciting.
0:52.1	So Dylan, you have been not only reporting on this story, but practicing how to say
0:56.0	the name of the drive.
0:59.8	What is it that we are talking about here?
1:02.5	Adju Canemab.
1:03.5	I think something like that.
1:06.6	So the story here is for what?
1:09.6	For 50 grand, you're going to get a medicine that you can't pronounce and that doesn't actually
1:14.8	treat your Alzheimer's.
1:15.8	Yes.
	...

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