TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a significant advancement for Taiwan's fight against a growing neurological health crisis, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (亞東醫院), one of the island's premier medical institutions, announced Wednesday (June 11) it will begin administering two breakthrough Alzheimer's drugs next week. The hospital will offer LEQEMBI (樂意保) and KISUNLA (欣智樂) starting Thursday (Jun 19), marking the first availability of these treatments since their arrival in Taiwan earlier this month. Medical experts view these medications as potential game-changers for the estimated 200,000 Taiwanese patients currently living with Alzheimer's disease.
The treatment protocols differ slightly between the two medications, according to hospital officials. LEQEMBI requires patients to receive injections every two weeks initially, with the possibility of transitioning to monthly treatments as therapy progresses. Clinical trials have demonstrated that this drug can slow Alzheimer's progression by approximately 26%. KISUNLA, administered on a monthly schedule from the outset, has shown even more promising results with an average 35% delay in disease advancement.
Both medications must be administered in a hospital setting under medical supervision. Despite the promising results, health authorities estimate only about half of Taiwan's Alzheimer's patients — roughly 100,000 individuals or potentially fewer—qualify for these treatments, primarily due to substantial costs and strict eligibility requirements that include pre-treatment brain imaging confirming amyloid protein accumulation.
Medical experts emphasized that these treatments are not suitable for all Alzheimer's patients. Dr. Chen Jui-hsing (甄瑞興), who directs the specialized Dementia Center at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, issued specific warnings about patient eligibility and potential complications. Individuals with a previous stroke history, evidence of cerebral microbleeds, or two copies of the high-risk APOE4 ε4 genetic variant face substantially elevated risks of adverse reactions.
The physician cited clinical trial data showing that approximately 3% of patients developed brain hemorrhages during treatment, while 0.7% experienced concerning neurological response delays. These safety concerns underscore why comprehensive pre-treatment screening — including advanced brain imaging through PET scans or invasive cerebrospinal fluid analysis, coupled with genetic testing — remains mandatory before prescribing these medications. ◼