The ethics of disease-modifying drugs targeting Alzheimer disease: response to our commentators

In Gustavsson et al,1 we discussed the ethical issues that arise when identifying the relevant population for disease-modifying drugs targeting Alzheimer disease (AD). More specifically, we focused on novel immunotherapies aimed at amyloid β and tau, two relevant biomarkers. The commentaries to our paper2 3 acknowledge our conclusion: screening for AD involve ethical costs that cannot be justified unless a drug with clinically relevant effect (with acceptable safety) becomes available.

Since Aduhelm is the only immunotherapy targeting AD currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, we use that as a case in point. Our commentators also agree that the documented effect of Aduhelm is scarce, to say the least. With scarce data on clinical effect, Aduhelm has poor prospects of providing benefits that can justify the current pricing of the drug. The uncertainties regarding the effect should also be seen in light of the…

Read the full article ›