Social Care News

17th October 2010

NICE ruling 'to help thousands of early stage Alzheimer's sufferers'

Hundreds of thousands of people with Alzheimer’s disease who have been denied medical treatment could soon be given access to life-changing drugs on the NHS, says the Alzheimer's Society.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has ruled (Oct 7) that medications, which cost £2.80 per person per day, are cost effective and should now be available on prescription.

If the draft decision is upheld (after a 30-day consultation period) three drugs - Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl - will be available on the NHS for people in the early and moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease. These treatments have, up to now, been restricted to people in the moderate stages. A fourth drug, called Ebixa, would also be made available to people in the moderate to late stages.

The Alzheimer's Society says the draft decision is a victory for people with Alzheimer's disease and their carers who have campaigned for full access to the drug treatments since they were controversially restricted in 2007.

Ruth Sutherland, interim chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, said: "This is a momentous day for thousands of people with Alzheimer's and their carers.

"These drugs can help people have a better quality of life at all stages of the condition. While they don't work for everyone, small but important benefits can enable many people to recognise their loved ones for longer, play with their grandchildren or make vital plans for the future.

"The Alzheimer's Society welcomes the draft decision and will now be campaigning for more people to have access to the treatments from today."

What does the decision mean for your loved ones?  

For more information, see: www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1465

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