Alzheimer's Society Condemns Putting Costs Ahead Of Care

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 18 Aug 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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According to the HSJ, Care Quality Commission chair Baroness Young has pledged to crack down on NHS organisations that fail to adopt National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance.

Ignoring guidelines could result in marked-down annual assessment ratings and lower pay, she told the journal in her first interview in her role at the new health and social care regulator.

Alzheimer's Society comment by Neil Hunt, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society,

Doctors take an oath to put the interests of their patients first. The only way doctors can uphold their oath and comply with NICE guidance is if NICE reaches the right decision.

NICE methodology must be improved alongside any suggested enforcement policy if we are to ensure doctors aren't forced to make the wrong decisions for the wrong reasons.

We hope the new health and social regulator won't put cost ahead of care.

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

Reference: Alzheimer's Society comment on "Watchdog chair to get tough on obeying NICE rules". Health Service Journal, 14 August 2008.

Notes

- In March 2005, NICE, the government body which produces guidance on which drug treatments should be funded by the NHS, ruled four drug treatments licensed for Alzheimer's disease (Aricept, Exelon, Reminyl and Ebixa) should no longer be funded by the NHS. It acknowledged that the drugs were clinically effective, but stated that they were not cost effective. Following an unprecedented response NICE changed its position to allow only people only in the moderate stages of the disease access to drug treatments. Following an unsuccessful appeal to an internal review body Alzheimer's Society challenged the decision in the high court.

- Pfizer/Eisai, manufacturer of Aricept, was the lead claimant in this judicial review. Alzheimer's Society acted as one of a number of separate interested parties in this challenge. Its legal team represented the interests of people with dementia and their carers and raised additional arguments.

- Alzheimer's Society does not accept funding or any other support from the pharmaceutical industry for its campaign on access to Alzheimer's drug treatments.

- In August 2007 the High Court found that the guidance was unlawful but did not rule that NICE must reconsider its decision to restrict drug treatments to people in the moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease.

- In November 2007 Alzheimer's Society decided it would not appeal the high court ruling but continue its campaign for access to drugs outside the courts.

- Alzheimer's Society maintains that people living with dementia should be given access to these treatments. The treatments cost £2.50 per person per day.

- Further information about the campaign can be viewed here.

- Nice guidance applies to England and Wales. People currently on the drug treatments will continue to receive them.

- 1 in 3 older people will end their lives with a form of dementia.

- 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051. 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.

- Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and those who care for them. Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

- As a charity, Alzheimer's Society depends on the generosity of the public to help it care, research and campaign for people with dementia. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898

- Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

Alzheimer's Society