Canada’s Drug Agency has released a draft recommendation for donanemab funding
The Agency recommends public reimbursement for the disease-modifying therapy.
Read frequently asked questions here.
The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, alongside the Canadian Federation of Alzheimer Societies, welcomes the draft recommendation from Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA) which suggests that donanemab (KisunlaTM) be eligible for reimbursement. This marks an important step toward expanding treatment options for people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Clinical studies show that donanemab can help slow decline in memory, thinking and daily activities for people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. However, donanemab is not a cure and will not be appropriate for everyone living with Alzheimer’s disease, including people with moderate or severe Alzheimer’s disease and people who carry two copies of the APOe4 gene.
What’s next for donanemab
This draft recommendation marks another development in Canada’s evolving Alzheimer’s disease treatment landscape; however, it does not mean that donanemab will be immediately reimbursed for people who are eligible. Next, provinces and territories will decide whether they will cover the drug, based on the CDA’s recommendation. Private insurers will also consider whether to fund the medication.
Once these decisions have been made, the availability of disease modifying therapies will be dependent on the health-care system’s readiness to support a timely diagnosis and eligibility screening, monitoring and follow-up care. For donanemab specifically, this includes access to regular MRI scans to monitor for potential side effects, as well as the clinical infrastructure needed to deliver regular infusions. Preparing the health-care system for disease-modifying therapies, like lecanemab and donanemab will require investment in health human resources, infrastructure, training and new care pathways so that treatment can be delivered safely and equitably. Regardless of whether or not someone chooses to pursue disease-modifying therapies, people will continue to need support. Continued investment in community programs and services is also essential to ensure people affected by dementia receive the appropriate care and support they need to manage as well as possible.
Likewise, access to specialists, diagnostic tools and infusion services varies significantly across Canada. As provinces and territories consider implementation, efforts should be made to reduce geographic and financial barriers so that access is determined by clinical need and informed choice.
With our federation partners, we will continue to advocate for equitable access, informed decision-making and health-system readiness so that scientific progress leads to real-world benefit for people living with dementia and care partners. We will also continue to call for greater investment in public education on risk reduction, system navigation and the community supports that are essential across the dementia care continuum in Canada.
While emerging therapies bring tremendous hope to our community, we know that people living with dementia and the people who support them also need help today.
Frequently asked questions
Donanemab is an intravenous monoclonal antibody treatment that removes amyloid plaques ( a protein often connected to Alzheimer’s disease) from the brain.
This drug is not a cure. It is designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
The drug is only approved to be used in people with mild cognitive impairment or mild (early-stage) Alzheimer’s disease. This drug is only supposed to be used for dementia related Alzheimer’s disease — no other form of dementia.
Health Canada allows the medication to be marketed and sold within the guidelines set out by Health Canada and the manufacturer.
It is still unclear how much donanemab will cost in Canada. It is approved for clinical use in Canada, however whether the cost of the drug is covered by private or public health plans will depend on the province or territory you live in. After a drug is approved by Health Canada, it takes time to determine if or whether the drug will be covered by private and/or public drug plans.
A timely dementia diagnosis offers many benefits, including better access to treatment options and support, ability to plan for the future and more meaningful time with family and friends. Learn more about getting a diagnosis.
Ask your health care provider if this drug is right for you, and for more information about donanemab assessment and testing procedures.
Similar to lecanemab, donanemab is administered via intravenous infusions. It targets amyloid plaques that contribute to cognitive decline and allows a person’s immune system to clear them from the brain. Unlike lecanemab, however, people are able to stop taking donanemab once their amyloid levels drop below a certain threshold.