An outdated Medicare rule harms dementia patients with anxiety

WASHINGTON — Eli Lilly’s latest anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s treatment seems to slow the disease, the company announced this week — news that adds even more pressure on Medicare’s unprecedented restrictions on coverage.

Medicare has so far held firm on its plans to require patient registries for the entire class of anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s drugs, even after they are fully approved.

advertisement

Pharmaceutical groups and patient advocates are increasingly fighting that approach.

Unlock this article by subscribing to STAT+ and enjoy your first 30 days free!