FDA approves new US Alzheimer's drug

U.S. health officials on Friday approved a closely watched Alzheimer's drug that modestly slows the brain-robbing disease, although with potential safety risks.

The Food and Drug Administration approved it for patients with Alzheimer's, specifically those with mild or early-stage disease. Dr. Sam Gandy, Mount Sinai Hospital said "Certainly trying to explain to patients and families, what they are, trying to manage their expectations is a challenge with this drug because we don't know what rate they would have progressed if they hadn't gotten the medication.

So it's in terms of whether the drug buys them five months or so, it's hard to know how people can relate to that," Health insurers are expected to scrutinize the drug's effectiveness before deciding whether to cover it and for which patients. Many patients will also require medical scans or other tests to confirm they are good candidates for treatment.