A new recommendation from Canada’s Drug Agency could make an Alzheimer’s treatment more accessible to Canadians in the early stages of the disease. The agency says it issued a draft positive recommendation July 16 for public reimbursement of Lecanemab, marketed as Leqembi, for eligible patients with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The decision is welcome news for London geriatrician Dr. Michael Borrie, who has been involved in Canadian clinical trials studying the treatment. “It’s a major win and a tangible sign of hope for people in early stages of dementia,” Borrie said. Dr. Borrie says Lecanemab is an infusion treatment that targets amyloid proteins in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It is the first Health Canada-approved treatment shown to slow the progression of the disease in people in its earliest stages. Borrie says clinical trial data shows the treatment can slow cognitive decline and help preserve patients’ independence. “The people on the drug are declining much more slowly,” Borrie said. “And that means that their independence has been preserved for a longer period of time.” Borrie, a geriatrician at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London and former president of the Consortium of Canadian Centres for Clinical Cognitive Research, has been involved in research into treatments aimed at slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s. For patients who are not part of a clinical trial, however, access to Lecanemab comes at a significant cost. The treatment can cost about $50,000 for 18 months of infusions. One of Borrie’s patients, Nancie Hackney, is participating in a clinical trial involving a similar treatment. She says having access to the medication has changed the way she looks at the future. “Having been accepted into a clinical trial, I’m having the benefit of a drug that might change lives from now till eternity,” Hackney said. “I’m very, very grateful for that opportunity.” Her son, Gary Hackney, says access to treatments that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s could benefit not only current patients, but future generations. “The availability of drugs that can start to slow the progression of this is important not just for the people currently suffering,” he said. “But that means future generations such as myself, and my family will have the benefit of that as well.” The Alzheimer Society of Canada has also welcomed the draft recommendation, saying public reimbursement could help make the treatment available to eligible Canadians living with mild cognitive impairment and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The recommendation is not yet final. The next step is for public drug plans across Canada to consider whether to fund Lecanemab. For Borrie, the potential shift in how Alzheimer’s is treated represents an important step forward. “We can slow its progression,” he said. “And that really is important for families. They remain independent in the community, in their homes, maybe at work for a longer period of time.” CTV News reached out to the Ontario Ministry of Health, inquiring if the province has plans to approve funding for Lecanamab or similar drugs, a Ministry Spokesperson issued the following statement: Ontario has an established, evidence-based process for reviewing requests for drug product funding under Ontario’s public drug programs. New drug products, including new formulations of drugs and funding requests for different indications of existing drug products, approved by Health Canada, may be considered for funding. The manufacturer submits to Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) for expert review (clinical effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, and patient evidence). Drugs that are recommended for funding are negotiated in collaboration with all provinces and territories through the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) to optimize value for publicly funded drug programs and patients. The final funding decision is made based on expert committee recommendations and advice, the outcome of pCPA negotiations, the sustainability of Ontario’s drug programs, and public interest. Lecanemab is currently undergoing review at CDA-AMC for treatment of adult patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In February 2026, CDA-AMC issued a ‘do not reimburse’ recommendation for Lecanemab for adults with a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s Disease. Ontario continues to carefully review new and emerging therapies through rigorous, evidence-based processes to ensure patients have access to safe, effective treatments. At the same time, our government is making significant investments in dementia care and services across Ontario including investing more than $4.1 million to expand access to complex care supports, including enhanced Alzheimer’s and dementia services, while connecting seniors and caregivers to community programs that promote healthy, active aging. We also passed the Improving Dementia Care in Ontario Act, 2024, which will help build a stronger, more coordinated dementia care system for patients and families across the province.
