FDA approves new Alzheimer's drug to slow cognitive decline.

The FDA has unanimously approved the use of lecanemab, a drug that slows the progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, Medicare will only cover the drug for patients who enroll in a national registry, which does not yet exist. The Alzheimer's Association has called this a harmful barrier. Lecanemab has been proven effective in slowing cognitive decline, but has side effects including infusion site reactions and swelling of the brain. Providing coverage for new and effective drugs for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia would save taxpayers between $13.1 billion and $545.6 billion in health-care costs over the course of 17 years.