INTEGRATING P-TAU217 EARLY DETECTION BLOOD TESTS IN NATIONAL DEMENTIA STRATEGY

NOTICE PAPER NO. 520

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 27 FEBRUARY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat

MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 1023

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health given the approval by US Food and Drug Administration of blood-based p-tau217 tests that can predict Alzheimer's disease risk up to 20 years before symptoms (a) whether the Ministry has assessed cost-effectiveness of subsidising such tests for high-risk individuals; (b) what is the estimated eligible population in Singapore; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider including such screening in the national dementia strategy.

Answer

1.         P-tau217 as a biomarker for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease is still being tested in local research trials. The FDA has indicated that the test is not intended as a stand-alone screening or diagnostic test. MOH will continue to monitor developments in this field.