World watches UK medical mayhem

Today, NICE hears the landmark appeal against the decision to deny drug treatments to people in the early and late stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Leading one of five appeals, the Alzheimer's Society has received messages of support from over 17 countries shocked by the decision.

NICE's recommendation to deny access to treatments despite their clinical effectiveness has been one of its most hotly contested decisions. The number of appellants and public interest has forced the Institute to change its appeal venue.

The appeal will run over two days as experts present a barrage of evidence outlining the perversity of the decision. Appeal grounds include the fact that

NICE has:

• Dramatically overestimated costs by assuming everyone will continue being prescribed treatments even if they aren't responding to them. This is simply not what happens in reality.
• Ignored the savings the drugs can bring. For example, the drugs can reduce caring time by over one and a half hours a day.
• Not been transparent in its decision.

The guidance:

• is discriminatory. NICE plans to allow treatment only when people get a certain score on a memory test but results will vary depending on education and race.
• will make it more likely that doctors will resort to dangerous unlicensed sedatives to treat people with dementia.

Leading the appeal, Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society says,

'The NHS has long been the envy of the world but today the world is watching to see if it will return to the dark ages of dementia care.'

For further information, contact Hannah Clack, Alzheimer's Society press office.

Notes for editors

• The Alzheimer's Society has received messages of support from Nigeria, Switzerland, Brazil, Turkey, Portugal, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, America, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Malta, Denmark, Zimbabwe, Germany, Argentina, Belgium.
• Alzheimer's Disease International has also condemned the decision.
• The appeal will be held from 10am on the 13, 14 July 2006 at Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (27 Sussex Place, Regent's Park, London NW1.
• The Alzheimer's Society, Royal College of Nursing, Age Concern, the Dementia Care Trust and Counsel and Care are jointly appealing.