Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI)
News, blogs and stories from across the field of dementia, the work of Alzheimer’s Disease International and our members.
The 78th World Health Assembly has been a whirlwind week for ADI as, after 18-months of advocacy, the World Health Assembly has agreed to extend the Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia by 6-years, to 2031.
Lecanemab is the first therapy of its kind approved in the EU that could potentially slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The use of lecanemab will now be considered by national payers, who will assess the treatment against further nationally determined criteria.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has concluded that the benefits from two treatments for early Alzheimer's Disease, donanemab and lecanemab, remain too small to justify the additional cost. Consequently, free access to these Alzheimer's treatments will not be provided in the UK.
Marketing authorisation has been granted for donanemab (Kisunla) in Australia, following announcements from Brazil, and Mexico, for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The authorisations in Brazil and Mexico were granted in April 2025, with the announcement of the Australian approval on 21 May 2025.
This comes as the Appeals board of the European Commission were unable to reach a verdict following the “no opinion” decision of the Standing Committee on Medicinal Products for Human Use and the European Commission. The matter will now be referred the European Commission for a final decision.
In March 2025, ADI was involved in a range of engagements across the Latin American region, from high level symposiums in Curaçao and Mexico, to providing strategic input on draft bills in Argentina and the international bloc of Latin American countries MERCOSUR.
In March 2025, multiple member associations in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan conducted and participated in crucial online webinars to drive forward knowledge and expertise, helping to improve the lives of those living with dementia in the region.
In March ADI Membership Manager, Gloria Mantineo, travelled to South Africa to visit the country member association ADASA, meeting with CEO, Marlene Freislich and regional leadership teams in South Africa’s three most populous provinces Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape; to learn more about their services and gain greater insight into the work being undertaken within the country as well as the African region more broadly.
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.