FDA to decide fate of new, controversial Alzheimer’s drug

(KYMA, KECY/CNN) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to decide Monday whether to approve a new drug to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Biogen's medication is called Aducanumab, and it's for mild cognitive impairment associated with the early stages of Alzheimer's.

It's been nearly 20 years since the agency has approved a new medication to treat the aliment. But the medication faces an uphill battle.

In November, all ten members of the peripheral and central nervous system drugs advisory committee voted there is not enough evidence to show the drug is effective.

Some non-profits also don't think medication should be approved. Though, the Alzheimer's Association supports it.

The FDA gets the final say, and if approved, it will take several months for the drug to become available.

Some stakeholders have also voiced concern the drug may be too expensive. It's not known exactly how much it would cost patients.