Canada’s Drug Agency has issued a draft recommendation advising against the inclusion of lecanemab in public drug plans for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Lecanemab, an artificial antibody administered through intravenous infusion bi-monthly, targets the amyloid plaque accumulation in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s. Despite its inability to cure or reverse the disease, lecanemab has shown promise in slowing cognitive and functional decline.
Alzheimer’s, the most prevalent form of dementia affecting approximately 772,000 Canadians, progressively impairs memory and cognitive functions. In a groundbreaking move in October 2025, Health Canada conditionally approved lecanemab, heralded by the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada as the first disease-modifying Alzheimer’s therapy in the country. Existing treatments focus on symptom management rather than altering the disease’s trajectory.
Clinical trials conducted by the drug manufacturer in over 50 countries demonstrated a 27% reduction in cognitive and functional decline over 18 months compared to a placebo. Dr. Howard Chertkow from the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging likened lecanemab’s impact to a moderate advancement in Alzheimer’s treatment.
Despite the draft recommendation, the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada expressed disappointment, emphasizing the need for further evidence before public funding should cover lecanemab. Health experts like Dr. Samir Sinha from Sinai Health and the University Health Network in Toronto underscored the importance of conclusive data supporting the drug’s widespread benefits.
The decision on lecanemab’s inclusion in public drug plans is open for feedback until March 5. Patients prescribed lecanemab must undergo testing for specific gene variants linked to potential adverse effects, limiting its availability to those with designated genetic profiles. Ongoing monitoring, including PET scans or MRIs, is essential for patients receiving lecanemab to ensure treatment safety and efficacy.
In a separate development, Quebec’s drug agency rejected the listing of lecanemab in December 2025, echoing concerns raised by Britain’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2024 regarding the treatment’s cost-effectiveness.