"Taxpayers shoulder costs as groundbreaking Alzheimer's drug offers hope for patients"

The approval of the Alzheimer's drug Leqembi has raised concerns about its high cost and the burden it will place on taxpayers. Medicare and Medicaid patients are expected to make up 92% of the market for the drug, which comes with a $26,500 annual price tag. In addition to the drug cost, treatment could cost U.S. taxpayers an average of $82,500 per patient per year for genetic tests, brain scans, safety monitoring, and other care. The high expense raises questions about how the drug will be paid for and who will benefit. Furthermore, the shortage of specialists capable of managing the drug may delay patient access.