Alzheimer's Society to challenge NICE in the High Court

NICE's controversial decision to deny people in the early and late stages of Alzheimer's disease access to drug treatments came into force last November.

The Alzheimer's Society will be challenging NICE's decision as part of a Judicial Review which was lodged today at the High Court.

Its legal team will be championing the rights of people with dementia and their carers who have been ignored in this process.

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

'More than 100,000 people will develop dementia this year; yet NICE has completely ignored the shattering effect that this decision will have not just on them but their carers too. This is a fatally flawed decision, and we are left with no choice but to challenge it in court. We are determined to get justice for thousands of people across the country.'

This unprecedented move follows a two year battle over whether people should have access to the only effective drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease on the NHS, at a cost of just £2.50 a day.