Japan's Eisai chief says cost of new Alzheimer's drug should reflect "multifaceted value"

Haruo Naito, the head of Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai Co., said Wednesday that while a new drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease could be revolutionary, its cost should reflect its "multifaceted value."

The new drug Aduhelm, jointly developed by Eisai and U.S pharmaceutical firm Biogen Inc., was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday. But its 56,000-U.S.-dollar-a-year price tag has triggered concerns that many patients would be unable to afford the drug.