Alzheimer's Society Comment On Panorama

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 18 Aug 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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During the programme Terry Pratchett criticises the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) decision to limit Alzheimer's drugs.

Terry Pratchett is right. It's an absolute disgrace that people with early-stage Alzheimer's continue to be denied access to the only drugs proven to treat the disease. Time and quality of life is being snatched away from thousands of vulnerable people who are unable to pay privately for their own treatment.

Alzheimer's Society has spearheaded a campaign against NICE's fundamentally flawed decision on Alzheimer's drugs. The High Court has recently ruled that NICE must reveal the model it used to make its decision. It is a scandal that the public body has applied to the House of Lords to challenge this decision.

We need a system that is fair and transparent. The postcode lottery will not end if clinicians, patients and the public do not have confidence in how NICE reaches its decisions.

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

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 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. Find out more here

- 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 people over 65 will die with 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 campaigns for and champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions who care for them. Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

- As a charity, Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk.

Alzheimer's Society