uclahealth.org
New research indicates that Medicare could save up to $336 million annually by reducing waste from the Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab through the introduction of smaller vial sizes. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, highlights how the drug’s current packaging leads to discarded medication, costing Medicare approximately $1,600 per patient each year.
Lecanemab is administered based on a patient’s weight, but with only 500 mg and 200 mg vials available, many doses leave excess medication. This results in nearly 6% of the drug being discarded, a figure that adds up to hundreds of millions in waste. Researchers estimate that introducing a 75 mg vial could cut this waste by 74%, without significantly increasing manufacturing costs or compromising care.
Given Medicare’s already stretched budget, reducing waste in drug spending is critical. Lecanemab, used for patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, has already faced scrutiny for its marginal clinical benefits and high costs, which include potential treatment for brain swelling. As the U.S. healthcare system grapples with rising costs, the need for such targeted savings is paramount.