The Independent – NHS Won’t Fund Wonder Drug That Slows Alzheimer’s
The Independent says regulators have approved the Alzheimer’s drug, Lecanemab, but NHS patients won’t be able to access it because it is too expensive.
There is also a photo of Jermaine Jenas, the TV presenter sacked by the BBC for reportedly sending inappropriate messages to a colleague. The paper says he was once tipped to take over from Gary Linekar on Match of The Day.
One Show and Match of the Day star Jermaine Jenas sacked by BBC after complaints of ‘unsolicited messages’
Presenter and former England footballer Jermaine Jenas has been sacked by the BBC following allegations of inappropriate workplace behaviour.
The One Show host, who had been tipped to one day replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day, was dropped earlier this week following an investigation.
A BBC spokesperson said only: “We can confirm that Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of our presenting line up.”
But BBC News reported that the 41-year-old’s contract was terminated following allegations involving digital communications such as texts, which were raised with the corporation a few weeks ago.
The complaints related to unsolicited messages to a female member of staff on The One Show, according to The Sun.
Alzheimer’s campaigners urge government to intervene as wonder drug lecanemab deemed ‘too expensive’ for NHS
Alzheimer’s campaigners and charities have urged the government to act after a new “wonder drug” was ruled too expensive for the NHS.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved lecanemab after clinical trials showed it slowed mental decline by 27 per cent in early Alzheimer’s patients.
However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said the benefits are “just too small to justify the significant cost to the NHS” – so the drug will only be available privately.
Alzheimer’s Research UK branded the decision “deeply disappointing” and has urged Wes Streeting to ensure patients are granted access to potentially life-changing treatments.
In a letter seen by The Independent, Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, made a direct plea to the health secretary.
Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
If you are someone who reads every perspective of a story, here is a news summary of all of today’s front pages from today’s newspapers; summarised in a 2-minute read
Editorial 23 August 2024.
A new Alzheimer’s drug has been “blocked for use on NHS” and the BBC has sacked one of its presenters – these are the top stories on Friday’s front pages.
The papers react to news that the new drug will not be available on the NHS due to costs with most papers reacting with shock and outrage. The drug was deemed efficient at slowing Alzheimer’s disease.
News that the BBC has sacked presenter Jermaine Jenas after complaints were made over ‘inappropriate behaviour’ makes the front page of the tabloids – and a common sidebar article for the broadsheets.
Elsewhere, several of the papers lead on other domestic topics including ongoing discussions around the recent GCSE results, ongoing disputes over public sector pay, Britain’s overcrowded prisons and other issues facing the government.