Lecanemab in Switzerland: How to get the new Alzheimer's medicine now

Lecanemab, one of the first new medicines for Alzheimer's in decades, is being produced in Switzerland. Ironically, though, it isn't available to Swiss patients yet.

After a long and windy road to UK and EMA approval, lecanemab is now available to (some) European patients. However, Alzheimer's patients in Switzerland are still in the waiting room for this new treatment that could potentially slow down the disease progression.

When will lecanemab be available in Switzerland, and how can you get it right away? Here's what you need to know.

In which countries is lecanemab approved?

As of January 2025, lecanemab is approved in the USA, EU, UK, Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, and UAE. The medicine was refused approval in Australia in October 2024, though the decision is currently being disputed ¹.

Is Leqembi (lecanemab) approved in Switzerland?

As of January 2025, no. The topic of approving the medicine in Switzerland has been as dividing as in the EU and the UK, as a lot of risks and benefits need to be weighed. According to Alzheimer Schweiz, lecanemab is expected to get its approval decision from Swissmedic at the beginning of January 2025 ².

Another, more recent medicine for Alzheimer's, donanemab, is also still awaiting its approval in Switzerland.

How can I get lecanemab in Switzerland before it's approved?

Lecanemab is a time-sensitive medicine. Meaning that it's only applicable in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. With this in mind, waiting even for a few months before starting treatment can be critical for some patients.

Fortunately, you don't have to wait until lecanemab is available in Switzerland. Thanks to a regulation known as Named Patient Import, you can buy the medicine for personal use right away, before it's approved by Swissmedic. The only thing you need to have is a prescription from your treating doctor.

The upside of this option is that you can start your treatment right away. The downside is that you'd have to cover the medicine costs yourself. However, with Swissmedic's approval decision on lecanemab expected soon, you will hopefully only have to cover a few months of treatment out of pocket.

How much does lecanemab cost in Switzerland?

It's always difficult to define a price for a medicine that isn't available on the local market yet, as it may vary depending on supplier and availability. However, as an orientation, a single-dose vial (200 mg/2 mL) currently costs around CHF 980. The typical administration frequency is once every two weeks, meaning that your monthly treatment costs would be around CHF 1960.

If you have a prescription for lecanemab and you're interested in starting your treatment immediately, get in touch with our expert team for a detailed price overview. We'll help you get lecanemab in Switzerland immediately.

References:

1. TGA's decision to not register lecanemab (LEQEMBI). Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), 16 October 2024.
2. Alzheimer-Wirkstoff Lecanemab. Alzheimer Schweiz, Accessed 9 January 2025.