Alzheimer's New Drug~ 1.5 Million TWD per Course

Innovative targeted drugs for early Alzheimer's disease (like Lecanemab and Donanemab) represent a major breakthrough in dementia treatment, but their high cost has also become a focus of social attention. These drugs primarily work by using monoclonal antibodies to clear amyloid plaques in the brain, thereby slowing cognitive decline, rather than curing the disease. A standard course of treatment lasts about 18 months, and the medication cost is calculated based on the patient's weight: Total Drug Cost: The medication for a full course of treatment is approximately NT$1 million to over NT$1.5 million (higher for heavier patients). Additional Expenses: Before starting treatment, patients must pay out-of-pocket for genetic testing and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Frequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also required during the treatment to monitor side effects like brain swelling. Initial and testing costs amount to about NT$100,000. Applicability Limitations: These drugs are only effective for patients in the very early stages (mild cognitive impairment), and currently, most treatments require full out-of-pocket payment. With such costs, if you were a patient, would you be willing to pay to receive this treatment?