June 01, 2016

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

MUST READS

A June 1, 2016 The New York Times article reported that the death rate in the US is up for the first time in a decade, with mortality for Alzheimer's on the rise. According to the article, “The rate for Alzheimer’s disease was also up, rising to 29.2 in 2015, compared with 25.4 in 2014, the continuation of some years of increases. Dr. Anderson said that part of the rise was more precise reporting of Alzheimer’s on death certificates, but that overall dementia-related deaths had increased over time.” Also reported on by The Washington Post

A June 1, 2016 STAT News Morning Rounds blurb reported that “The Senate will give a first look at its plans for health care spending next week, when the HHS subcommittee that handles appropriations meets to approve a funding bill on Tuesday.” According to the article, “The subcommittee chairman, Republican Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, has said he wants to keep the increases coming. The House isn’t expected to release its bill until later this summer.”

A May 31, 2016 The Hill opinion piece by Alan Balch, PhD called on insurance companies to “fix” clinical trial reimbursement. According to Balch, “too often, researchers have difficulty enrolling Americans in clinical trials…Stepped up education, however, is only part of the solution to greater clinical trial participation. Equally important is ensuring that health plans cover the routine medical costs when patients are enrolled in clinical studies. These are not the cost of procedures, drugs, extra doctor visits and expenses directly related to the study itself, which are usually covered by the trial sponsors. What is at issue are the charges insurance normally covers, such as such as physician fees, hospital charges, and routine tests…Now that insurers have detailed information on coverage requirements, it is time for those health plans that have yet to cover clinical trial costs to do so. Patients need greater access to, and reimbursement for, breakthrough treatments available through clinical trials and the clarification document puts to rest any lingering questions. As a stakeholder engaged in the effort to improve access to clinical trials, we will continue to work with policymakers, providers, the advocacy community, patients and caregivers to build education and access to clinical trials.” Balch is Chief Executive Officer, National Patient Advocate Foundation.

A May 31, 2016 Reuters article reported that biotech firm AC Immune filed for an initial public offering to develop an Alzheimer’s drug. According to the article, “AC Immune, backed by German billionaire Dietmar Hopp, said it plans to use proceeds from the IPO to develop products, including Alzheimer's drug crenezumab. Crenezumab, which AC Immune licensed to Roche Holding AG's Genentech division in 2006, targets protein plaques found in brains of patients with Alzheimer’s.”