Taiwan may add Alzheimer’s drug Kisunla to National Health Insurance by 2025

Kisunla is currently undergoing a health technology assessment.

Two newly approved Alzheimer’s treatments, Kisunla (donanemab) and Leqembi (lecanemab), are under review for National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage, reported Taipei Times.

NHIA Director-General Shih Chung-liang confirmed that Kisunla has already been submitted for coverage, with discussions possibly beginning by the end of this year.

Kisunla, developed by Eli Lilly, and Leqembi, by Eisai and Biogen, both aim to slow cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer’s patients. 

Kisunla is currently undergoing a health technology assessment, which could take more than a month.

After that, it will go through specialist reviews before a final decision by the Pharmaceutical Benefit and Reimbursement Scheme Joint Committee.

Whilst Kisunla is the only drug to have formally applied for NHI coverage so far, Leqembi is expected to follow suit. No fixed timeline has been set for their inclusion in NHI coverage.