News

The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended against granting the marketing authorisation of donanemab across the European Union’s Member States and European Economic Area (EEA). This is likely to be the second disease modifying therapy to be denied by the bloc, after the EMA declined aducanumab, leaving lecanemab as the only disease modifying therapy likely to achieve marketing authorisation.

ADI is highlighting the testimonies of those undertaking health tourism to access Alzheimer's disease treatments across the world. Recent significant advancements have led to the development of disease-modifying therapies designed to slow progression. However, access remains highly fragmented, leading to the the onset of people travelling for treatment, or health tourism, for those that have the means.

ADI is increasingly concerned by global cuts to international development funding and research, and its potential impact on dementia services and research. These cuts risk impacting the provision of vital services and critical research efforts into Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, impacting the estimated 55 million people living with dementia globally, a number which is forecast to rise to 139 million in the next 25 years.

In February, ADI representatives took part in two important events in the Americas showcasing the great progress currently being made in the region.ADI Board Member Rosa Farrés attended a workshop in Peru on Advancing Brain Health, hosted by the Global Brain Health Institute at the beginning of the month. Then, ADI Regional Director for the Americas, Diego Aguilar, visited Chile to attend the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) Neuroscience Next conference, building on Chile’s recent efforts on the updating of their National Dementia Plan strategy.

ADI Asia Pacific Regional Director , DY Suharya, attended and supported two crucial cross-sectional meetings in both Malaysia and Maldives. These timely meetings brought researchers, policymakers and medical practitioners together to pave the way for the development of a new National Dementia Plan in Maldives and an important strategic deployment meeting around the newly launched plan in Malaysia.

ADI attended the World Health Organization’s 156th Executive Board, advocating for an extension to the expiring Global Action Plan on the public health response to dementia, as well as pushing for better inclusion of dementia in from Non-communicable disease policies, and the need for greater provisions for those living with dementia and carers in humanitarian situations. 

February saw a flurry of dementia-related activity within the European region. Sweden has updated their national dementia strategy from 2018; ADI’s Head of Membership attended a session at the Belgian Senate; as part of their efforts to raise the profile of those living with dementia; ADI CEO Paola Barbarino virtually opened the 14th Panhellenic Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, organized by ADI’s member in Greece, Panhellenic Federation of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, and ADI is partaking in the public hearings for the development of the WHO Second European Program of Work.

Chile recently embarked on a comprehensive evaluation and update of its National Dementia Plan (originally launched in 2017) - a plan that serves as a model for the Latin American region. This collaborative process, led by the Chilean Ministry of Health, also involved civil society organisations, and demonstrates a practical roadmap for updating national dementia strategies.