Alzheimer's Society Responds To Health Select Committee Inquiry On NICE, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 22 Jan 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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People in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease should never have been denied drug treatments the Alzheimer's Society said.

This announcement comes as a Health Select Committee inquiry criticised the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) narrow remit and structure.

Neil Hunt chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society says,

'Today's report confirms that people with Alzheimer's disease should not have been denied access to drugs. This is a victory for common sense. It is good news for patients. We hope the Department of Health will implement the suggested reforms. This will reduce the number of challenges against NICE, such as ours on Alzheimer's drugs, and enable it to regain the public confidence it has lost.'

Importantly the Health Committee highlighted that NICE's economic evaluations do not adequately take into account the wider benefits of treatment to society, including the benefit to carers.

Neil Hunt continues,

'For years the Alzheimer's Society has campaigned to have the benefits that drug treatments bring to carers sufficiently recognised by NICE. We hope changes will be made immediately to address this important issue.'

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 the Alzheimer's Society challenged the decision in the high court.

- Pfizer/Eisai, manufacturer of Aricept, was the lead claimant in this judicial review. The 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.

- The 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. Click here for details of the Alzheimer's Society pharmaceutical policy.

- 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.

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

- As a charity, the 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 or visiting http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

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