CEO Update
Alzheimer's Association
This message is sent to all Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's
Impact Movement board members, all Alzheimer's Association staff,
Zenith Society members and volunteers and supporters of AIM and the
Alzheimer's Association.
Good evening,
This afternoon, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
released its draft decision on coverage for monoclonal antibodies
targeting amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. As
you'll recall, the first of these treatments - aducanumab
or Aduhuelm - was approved by the FDA last June. A press release
from CMS regarding today's draft decision can be found here.
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Today's announcement from CMS is shocking discrimination against
everyone with Alzheimer's disease, especially those who are
already disproportionately impacted by this fatal disease, including
women, Blacks and Hispanics.
With the approach proposed by CMS, access to treatment would now only
be available to a privileged few - those with access to research
institutions - exacerbating and creating further health
inequities. In issuing its decision CMS had the audacity to cite the
Alzheimer's Association 2021 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and
Figures report on the challenges and barriers underrepresented
communities have in participating in clinical trials, and then propose
to impose those very barriers on those seeking treatment for
Alzheimer's.
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The Alzheimer's Association unequivocally believes that people
living with Alzheimer's disease deserve the same access to
therapies given to those living with other conditions like cancer,
heart disease and HIV/AIDS. For those in the Administration to treat
those with Alzheimer's disease differently than those with other
diseases is simply unacceptable.
Critically, this draft decision is not about one treatment but about
this class of potential future treatments targeting amyloid for the
treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This draft decision appears
focused on an individual treatment rather than a class which is not
what CMS set out to do.
CMS must change this draft decision. They must ensure equitable access
for all who could benefit from FDA-approved treatments. We call on CMS
to not only listen, but hear the needs of people living with dementia
and their caregivers.
This fight isn't over. We'll continue to demand equitable
access to treatment for all who would benefit. And we will continue to
keep you informed on next steps as CMS works toward its final
decision.
Harry Johns Signature
Harry Johns
Chief Executive Officer
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Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., FL 17, Chicago, IL
60601
800.272.3900 | alz.org
tel:800.272.3900
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