Judgement date set on Alzheimer’s drugs court challenge

The result of the unprecedented judicial review follows a two-year campaign to secure access to the only drug treatments for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease on the NHS.

Mrs Justice Linda Dobbs will hand down her ruling in the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday 10 August, in a case with huge implications for the lives of thousands of people with Alzheimer's disease and their carers. Lawyers for the Alzheimer's Society highlighted how NICE drastically underestimated costs of care and overlooked carer benefits when assessing the group of three drugs. During five days of arguments at last month's hearing, the court also heard how NICE's decision discriminates against people of different cultural and educational backgrounds.

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

'Success with this legal challenge will change the lives of thousands of people with Alzheimer's disease in the UK - not just now but all those still to be diagnosed in the future too. NICE holds the fate of so many people's lives in its hands, it is only right that its decisions are subject to proper scrutiny.

Whatever the outcome, we are glad the views of those affected by Alzheimer's disease have finally been heard in court. It was their determination, which has propelled this campaign so far forward, raising huge awareness of the issues facing people with dementia and their carers.'