Alzheimer's Drugs Hope As NICE Appeal Denied

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Article Date: 30 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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New hope has been offered to thousands of people in the early stages of Alzheimer's today, 29 October, following a landmark decision in the House of Lords.

The Lord's denied the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) the right to appeal a high court decision which, in May 2008, ordered NICE to release a copy of the model it used to restrict Alzheimer's drugs on the NHS.

People in the early stages of Alzheimer's are currently denied the only drug treatments for the disease because NICE ruled they are too expensive, at a cost of just £2.50 a day.

Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society says,

Today is a small victory in the battle to see justice for thousands of people with Alzheimer's disease and their families. Having access to NICE's model will allow us to scrutinise NICE's calculation and to try and make sense of this unfathomable decision.

We strongly believe that NICE's decision to deny people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease access to drugs is fundamentally flawed. For the price of a cup of coffee, drug treatments can give people hope, dignity and time when it is the most precious.

If NICE has got it wrong, the decision must be scrapped and people should be given back their right to have treatment.

Notes

Since May 2006 three Alzheimer's drugs have been denied to people in the early stages of the disease on the NHS.

On 1 May 2008 the Court of Appeal found in favour of Eisai/Pfizer ruling NICE should have allowed public access to the health economic model that it used to make its decision.

On 17 June 2008 NICE sought permission from the House of Lords to appeal the Court of Appeal decision.

In Northern Ireland NICE guidance will have to be endorsed by the Minister for Health, Michael McGimpsey, before it can be implemented.

1 in 3 people over the age of 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.

Dementia is not a natural part of ageing; it is caused by diseases of the brain and robs people of their lives.

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.

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 http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336

Alzheimer's Society