NICE under investigation

Committee members will examine aspects of NICE's work including why decisions are increasingly being challenged; whether public confidence in NICE is waning and the appeal system.

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

'This inquiry should put a long overdue spotlight on NICE's methods and the Alzheimer's Society will be submitting evidence to the health select committee.

NICE's appraisal process grossly disadvantages people with certain conditions. Its assessment of drugs for people with Alzheimer's disease has been fatally flawed from start to finish, with devastating results for the 100,000 people who will develop dementia this year alone. The system also ignores the benefits these treatments offer legions of unpaid carers and the millions of pounds they save the country every year.

There is no independent appeals process to NICE's appraisal system and this has been noted by the health select committee before now. It is this glaring absence that has forced us to go to the high court and challenge the cruel and unethical decision to limit access to treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

We fully recognise the important role NICE plays within the healthcare system in the UK. Hopefully this review will highlight the changes that NICE should make to ensure people get the treatments they need and deserve.'