India Introduces First Alzheimer's Drug at High Cost

May 20, 2026

100 min

May 20, 2026 12:30

First ever Alzheimer's drug has arrived in India for almost one lakh per dose

## Introduction of Alzheimer's Drug in India

India has recently introduced its first drug aimed at treating Alzheimer's disease. The medication, known as donanemab and marketed under the brand name Lormalzi, is produced by the US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. This development marks a significant step in Alzheimer's treatment within the country.

## How the Drug Works

Lormalzi is administered as a monthly intravenous infusion. It targets amyloid beta plaques in the brain, which are linked to the progression of Alzheimer's. By removing these plaques, the drug aims to slow cognitive decline in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's, specifically those with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia.

## Clinical Trials and Effectiveness

Clinical trials, such as the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 study, have shown that donanemab can slow the progression of Alzheimer's by over 35% in patients with early symptoms. However, it is not a cure and cannot reverse existing damage.

## Global Availability

Donanemab is not new to the market; it has been approved in several countries, including the US, UK, Japan, and the UAE. India's recent approval adds to this list, making it the first disease-modifying Alzheimer's therapy available in the Indian market.

## Patient Eligibility and Challenges

The drug is not suitable for all Alzheimer's patients. It is intended for those in the early symptomatic stages with confirmed amyloid pathology. In India, the availability of necessary diagnostic tools like amyloid PET scans is limited, posing challenges for patient eligibility.

## Cost and Accessibility

The cost of the drug is a significant barrier, with each dose priced at approximately Rs 91,688. Eli Lilly plans to implement an access program to reduce costs for some patients, but financial constraints remain a major issue for many families.

## Impact on Alzheimer's Treatment

Despite its limitations, the introduction of this drug is expected to encourage earlier diagnosis and more biomarker-based assessments in India. This could benefit patients even before cost barriers are fully addressed, as the drug offers a new approach to managing Alzheimer's disease.

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