UK In Bottom Third Of Countries For Dementia Drug Usage

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 28 Jul 2010 - 13:00 PDT

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The UK ranks 11th out of 14 countries for dementia drug use rates according to a report published by the Department of Health.

The paper 'Extent and causes of international variations in drug usage' by Professor Sir Mike Richards looked at the rates of drug usage per capita for a range of diseases and drug categories in 14 countries across the world. The UK's overall ranking was eighth.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'This report provides a scathing indictment of the huge problems surrounding access to dementia drugs in this country. These are currently the only drug treatments for people with Alzheimer's disease and they can give people more time to plan for the future, play with their grandchildren or simply enjoy a better quality of life.'

'It is outrageous that up to two thirds of people with dementia never even receive a diagnosis and those that do are forced to wait until their condition deteriorates before they can receive drug treatment. We need better diagnosis and more open access to these drugs if we are to even begin to bring ourselves in line with other countries.'

Ruth Sutherland
Acting Chief Executive

Source:
Alzheimer's Society

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