Because the pill works faster than other antidepressants and is taken for only two weeks, it may encourage more treatment of the debilitating condition.
The drug, Leqembi, may modestly slow cognitive decline in early stages of the disease but carries some safety risks. Still, data suggests it is more promising than the small number of other available treatments.
The report said the F.D.A.’s approval process for Aduhelm was “rife with irregularities” and criticized Biogen for setting an “unjustifiably high price.”
The drug, lecanemab, made by Eisai and Biogen, also carried risks of brain swelling and bleeding and should be studied further, a report of the findings said.