Alzheimer's Society

Aim

To ensure that all people with dementia who can benefit from Alzheimer's drug treatments can access them on NHS prescription.

Why are we campaigning for access to drugs?

Alzheimer's drug treatments have made a significant difference to quality of life for thousands of people with dementia.

However, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) ruling that only those in the moderate stages of the disease should be prescribed the drug treatments presents a serious threat to availability of drug treatments and early diagnosis. NICE made their ruling on the basis that the drug treatments cost too much, at £2.50 per person per day, despite the fact that the panel agreed that they were clinically effective. This ruling means that the NHS can refuse Alzheimer's drug treatments to those in the early and later stages of the disease in England and Wales.

What are our key messages?

• Drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease are clinically effective. They can help to stabilise the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
• Alzheimer's drug treatments are not expensive. They cost only £2.50 per person per day.
• Alzheimer's drugs provide real benefits to carers. The drug treatments can help the person with dementia retain their independence and ability to do everyday tasks for longer, reducing the number of hours that carers spend caring for them.
• This decision contradicts current government policy on the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for people with dementia. It will mean that people with dementia will have to wait until their symptoms get worse before they can receive treatment.

What do we want the government to do?

NICE emphasises that its own guidance does not override the individual responsibility of doctors to make decisions in the best interests of their patients. The NHS must ensure that doctors continue to have the ability to make individual decisions and prescribe to people in the early and late stages of Alzheimer's disease.

What is the Society doing?

• We are challenging NICE's decision on Alzheimer's drug treatments in the High Court through a Judicial Review.
• We are monitoring the prescribing situation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and gathering evidence about what the NICE decision means on the ground. If you or someone you know has been denied access to Alzheimer's drug treatments based on the new guidance we would like to hear from you. You can contact the Helpline for advice on what to do next and email the campaigns team so we can record the information.

• What are people's experiences?
  People with dementia and their carers share their thoughts on the importance of access to drugs.
• The story so far
• Information sheet on Alzheimer's drug treatments
• Alzheimer's Society policy on ethical issues and relationship with commercial organisations