A new drug that slows the pace of Alzheimer's disease is too expensive for too little benefit to be used on the NHS, the drugs spending watchdog says. Donanemab was hailed as a turning point in the disease last year.

The most effective drug for Alzheimer’s has been blocked for use on the NHS. Regulators have declared the new treatment for the disease safe for use but the rationing body has immediately ruled that it is too expensive for NHS patients.

Eli Lilly & Co’s Alzheimer’s drug won’t be made available for patients using England’s National Health Service, after the drug cost regulator deemed its benefits were too small to justify the price.