Sharon Runge has become the first patient in Canadian history to receive an infusion of an Alzheimer’s drug recently approved by Health Canada.
“It’s a historic moment for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families in Canada because we have been able to meaningfully intervene in this disease,” shares Cognitive Neurologist, Dr. Sara Mitchell.
Canada is the last of the G7 nations to approve Lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody that removes harmful amyloid plaque from the brain, which has been shown to slow the progression of the disease by about 30 per cent.
“Longer term data now tells us that up to four-years of taking this drug extends out a one-year period of further independent living,” says Dr. Mitchell.
What people with Alzheimer’s across the country are facing is increased dependence on their loved ones. This drug promises extended independence.
For Runge’s husband Dallard, the newly approved drug gives him hope that he and his wife will receive the gift of life’s most valuable commodity – time.
“In the last year or so, Sharon was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. My hope is that (the drug) delays the further onset of the disease for a while for us. The longer we have together the more happiness we’ll get to share,” shares Dallard.
While the drug has been approved by Health Canada, it hasn’t yet received a funding recommendation from the Canada Drug Administration. Provincial health agencies across the country have yet to provide coverage for Lecanemab.
Families like the Runge’s have been left to cover the total cost of the infusions on their own. The cost to receive biweekly infusions for one year is about $32,000, though the price fluctuates depending on the individual’s weight.
“We are hoping that we can have equal access for all Canadians to this drug, and that requires government support,” says Dr. Mitchell, emphasizing that, “there are people that you’ll see every day on the street who have this disease and who want to keep living independently. That’s who this drug is for.”
There has been some public pushback from those who bristle at the idea of taxpayers funding the costly drug. When asked his response to this, Dallard suggests, “I’d say they should walk in our shoes.” He adds that he only wishes his wife could have received the drug sooner.
Sharon began showing early symptoms four years ago. Doctors are adamant that early intervention is key, as the drug can help extend a higher quality of life for patients.
The troublesome proteins that can in part lead to Alzheimer’s can gather in the brain decades before symptoms arise. The next step is to test whether the drug can offset the disease in asymptomatic patients who have the harmful plaque in their brain but haven’t yet experienced any symptoms.
Moments before receiving the first infusion in Canadian history, Sharon shared with CTV National News that she’s struggled to understand her diagnosis.
“In my day-to-day life, I feel like I’m fine,” she says with a smile. Her husband shares that his wife’s short-term memory has experienced a slow decline for a number of years now.
Her memory may lapse, but her thoughts and devotion towards her children and her husband are as present as ever. “I’m so fortunate to have met him,” she says of her husband, “he’s the most important thing in my life.”
The Runges now have hope that their loving life together will be granted added longevity.
