The limited evidence for the efficacy of Aduhelm raises the question of whether its large impact on health spending is justified.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new drug for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, despite concerns about both the cost and efficacy.

Although Biogen, the manufacturer, tested Aduhelm on patients with mild cognitive impairment, the FDA approved its use more broadly for the more than six million Americans currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The drug is administered through intravenous infusion at an annual cost of $56,000 per patient, a non-retail expenditure that will be borne primarily by Medicare Part B. Several researchers recently analyzed estimated expenditures on Aduhelm for Altarum, a nonprofit health care research and consulting organization.

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