Spain rejects public funding for two new Alzheimer drugs, sparking outcry

Spain's Comisión Interministerial de Precios de los Medicamentos (CIPM) has rejected public financing for lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla), the first drugs shown to slow Alzheimer's progression, on July 15, 2026 Source: El País, ABC.

What the drugs offer

Lecanemab and donanemab are anti-amyloid antibodies that reduce cognitive decline by 27–35%, roughly six months of delay, but only in early-stage patients. They carry risks of brain hemorrhages and require close monitoring Source: El Español, ABC. Only an estimated 2.5% of Spain's 800,000 Alzheimer patients are eligible Source: El Español.

Why they were rejected

The CIPM cited high costs—over €20,000 per patient per year—and the need for expensive diagnostic and monitoring infrastructure Source: El Mundo, El Español. Sanidad Secretary Javier Padilla stated that drugmakers offered no acceptable spending cap, and that the system must prioritize sustainability Source: Infobae. However, the companies (Biogen/Eisai for lecanemab, Lilly for donanemab) claim they made significant price concessions Source: ABC, El Confidencial.

Backlash and next steps

Neurologists, patient groups, and the industry have roundly condemned the decision. The Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) called it a "blow to equity" because it forces patients to pay €40,000 privately Source: Infobae. CEAFA, the Alzheimer confederation, accused the government of "condemning a generation of patients" Source: El Español. Lilly has made donanemab available through private clinics while continuing to negotiate Source: ABC. The next CIPM meeting is set for September 23, 2026, with hopes of a revised agreement Source: El Español.