Bernie Sanders Takes on High Costs of Alzheimer's Treatment Leqembi, Calls Price Tag 'Unconscionable' - E
Benzinga SenatorBernie Sandersurged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to immediately address the exorbitant cost ofEisai Co LtdESALY/Biogen IncBIIB Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi (lecanemab).
Wednesday, the FDA released briefing documents ahead of the meeting that appears to support afull FDA approval for Leqembi.
In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Sanders, who chairs the Senate Health Committee, expressed his deep concern over the annual price for Leqembi at $26,500, which he described as "unconscionable."
Sanders emphasized that the current price of Leqembi would place a significant financial burden on Medicare and lead to increased premiums for seniors.
Sanders called on HHS to utilize its authority to break the patent monopoly on Leqembi if Eisai and Biogen refuse to lower the treatment's price. He also suggested that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) could restrict the amount it pays for Leqembi, ensuring that the reimbursement aligns with the drug's benefit.
