New Alzheimer's drug sparks backlash over FDA, pricing | TheHill

Patients could be on Aduhelm for years at a time after their diagnosis, multiplying the overall cost of treatment," he added.Wyden is leading the charge for prescription drug price reform in the Senate, but other lawmakers have been noticeably silent on Aduhelm.It was not mentioned at all during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing with acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock on Thursday, nor was it brought up in House hearings earlier in the week with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier BecerraXavier BecerraNew Alzheimer's drug sparks backlash over FDA, pricing Obama joins Biden to tout record ObamaCare enrollment numbers Biden walks fine line with probe into coronavirus origins MORE.One drug pricing advocate said part of the hesitancy may be because some lawmakers don’t want to be seen attacking an Alzheimer's drug, especially the first new one in 18 years."Everyone wants to be cognizant of the intense hope for meaningful progress in the treatment of this disease," the advocate said.Other advocates said the hope is that when more lawmakers see the full cost implications for taxpayers and consumers, there could be a shift in the dynamics.Still, the politics of drug pricing legislation is fraught, and it's not even clear the Biden administration shares some of the concerns over FDA's controversial approval.On the Republican side, one of the only lawmakers to mention Aduhelm was Rep. Cathy McMorris RodgersCathy McMorris RodgersNew Alzheimer's drug sparks backlash over FDA, pricing FDA approves first new Alzheimer's drug in almost 20 years OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden suspends Arctic oil leases issued under Trump |  Experts warn US needs to better prepare for hurricane season | Progressives set sights on Civilian Climate Corps MORE (Wash.), who used it as part of a longstanding attack on Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiNew Alzheimer's drug sparks backlash over FDA, pricing Sunday shows preview: Biden foreign policy in focus as Dem tensions boil up back home It's not just Manchin: No electoral mandate stalls Democrats' leftist agenda MORE’s (D-Calif.) drug pricing plan."Every day is a gift.