What is the new Alzheimers drug approved by the FDA?
THE FDA announced their approval of an Alzheimer's disease treatment developed by Biogen that has been met with controversial reception. Nearly 6 million people in the US and many more worldwide have Alzheimers, which gradually attacks areas of the brain needed for memory, reasoning, communication, and basic daily tasks. Government health officials approved the first new drug called aducanumab for Alzheimers disease in nearly 20 years, despite controversy over the trial results. Its the only drug that regulators have said can likely treat the underlying disease, rather than manage symptoms like anxiety and insomnia. The new drug, which Biogen developed with Japans Eisai Co., did not reverse mental decline, only slowing it in one study. The drug is given as an infusion every four weeks. The new medicine is made from living cells that will have to be given via infusion at a doctors office or hospital. 4 Biogen Idec is one of the Globe 100 featured businesses Credit: Getty - Contributor  The most common side effects were inflammation in the brain, most cases did not cause symptoms or lasting problems. The FDA is requiring the drugmaker to conduct a follow-up study to confirm the drugs benefits for patients. If the study fails to show effectiveness, the FDA could pull the drug from the market, though the agency rarely does so. Biogen did not immediately disclose the price, though analysts have estimated the drug could cost between $30,000 and $50,000 for a years worth of treatment. Alzheimers Association president and CEO Harry Johns said: "On behalf of those impacted by Alzheimers and all other dementia, the Alzheimers Association welcomes and celebrates todays historic FDA approval of aducanumab for Alzheimers disease. "This approval is a victory for people living with Alzheimers and their families.It is a new day. This approval allows people living with Alzheimers more time to live better. "For families it means being able to hold on to their loved ones longer. It is about reinvigorating scientists and companies in the fight against this scourge of a disease. It is about hope." 4 On Monday, June 7, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved aducanumab, the first new drug for Alzheimers disease in nearly 20 years Credit: AP  The decision, which could impact millions of older Americans and their families, is certain to spark disagreements among physicians, medical researchers and patient groups. It also has far-reaching implications for the standards used to evaluate experimental therapies, including those that show only incremental benefits. The FDA is requiring the drugmaker to conduct a follow-up study to confirm the drugs benefits for patients. If the study fails to show effectiveness, the FDA could pull the drug from the market, though the agency rarely does so. Social media users were skeptical of the Biogen announcement and took to Twitter to express their thoughts. we will see what is most important for biogen," one said. "Biogen shareholders are laughing all the way to the bank," another said. Most read in US News TRUMP LETS FLY Viewers think Trump had 'pants on backwards' during wild GOP speech TRAGIC PRICE Fisher-Price sleeper recall after 4 babies died including 11-week-old infant VEEP IN DEEP Protesters taunt Harris with 'Trump won' signs during Guatemala visit FIGHTER FOUND DEAD Ex-UFC Fighter found dead after body 'pulled from river in North Dakota' FRANTIC SEARCH Amber Alert issued in NYC for 9-month-old girl 'snatched by dad' DEADLY COLLISION Tragic wrong-way highway crash leaves four kids and two adults dead  One Twitter user complained to their representatives about the new drug, writing: "How much is your memory worth... apparently, @biogen thinks it is worth $56,000 a year. @VanTaylorTX@RepAOC@RepColinAllred this is not acceptable. as someone who had two grandparents, and most likely a mother with Alzheimer's, this is unacceptable." "I'm really glad to see that research like this is being pursued, especially in seemingly unrelated areas (depression, cancer, Alzheimer's). I'm not altogether reassured by Biogen's 'data,'" another commented. "A 22% reduction in decline, if the Biogen's claims are even true, at $56K a year is obscene," a user said of the cost.