Alzheimer’s ‘wonder drug’ brightens horizon

A PROMINENT Alzheimer’s activist from Tyrone has said he is hopeful for the future, after it was recently announced that a new wonder drug for the disease could be on the horizon.

Paul Monaghan, an Alzheimer’s advocate who received his diagnosis five and a half years ago, has said the development ‘is absolutely brilliant’.

Speaking with the TyroneHerald, the Omagh man said, “If the reports emerging from the trials are true, this drug could help millions of people live longer, happier, more fulfilling lives.”

Last week, Alzheimer’s Society triumphantly declared that a new drug, donanemab, could represent a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Resuts from the donanemab trials reveaed that everyone who received the drug experienced at least a 20 per-cent decrease in the speed at which their condition progressed.

Moreover, for those involved in the trial in the earlier stages of their illness, their deterioration rate was reduced by 35 per-cent.

Commenting on the revolutionary potential of the drug, Dr Richard Oakley of Alzheimer’s Society, said donanemab could signal the ‘beginning of the end’ for Alzheimer’s.

“Alzheimer’s Society estimates there could be up to 720,000 people in the UK who could benefit from new treatments like donanemab should they become available,” he said.

“It is hoped this marks the first step towards a future where Alzheimer’s disease could be considered a long-term condition, such as diabetes or asthma.”

Reflecting on Dr Richard Oakley’s endorsement of the new drug, Paul Monaghan said he would try it if he had the opportunity.

“Sometimes you hear that there are risks associated with new drugs, and no doubt there are, but it is a risk I would be willing to take.

“If this drug works as well as the trials seem to suggest, this is an absolutely brilliant development,” the Omagh man added.

“There are a lot of people struggling at the minute, and a really good drug is exactly what we need.”

diagnosis

Paul started taking medication as soon as he was diagnosed five and a half years ago. He strongly urges other people who think the might be developing Alzheimer’s – or some other form of dementia – to see their doctor as early as possible.

“It is scary, but an early diagnosis is exactly what you need.

“It helps you make sense of what is happening, and, most importantly, it means you can get the medicine you need before things start to accelerate,” said Paul.

Alzheimer’s Society have said that it is unlikley that donanemab will be available on the NHS before 2025.

Paul concluded, “If this drug works as well as the tests suggest, regulators [the MHRA and NICE] need to make it available as quickly as possibe.”