Medicare officials announced yesterday that coverage for the new Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm should be restricted to patients that are participating in approved clinical trials. After a thorough review of the scientific evidence and discussions with various stakeholders, their research team at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services concluded that there remain significant doubts as to whether the potential benefits of Aduhelm for patients outweigh the safety risk. Scientists are worried about side effects such as headaches, dizziness, falls and brain bleed.  The maker of the drug, Biogen, said that the decision “denies the daily burden of people living with Alzheimer’s disease†and that the clinical trial requirement “will exclude almost all patients who may benefit.â€
