Dementia drugs work but are too expensive for the NHS

If initial guidance by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is not changed thousands of people with Alzheimer's will be deprived of the only treatment available to them.

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

'We are stunned at the proposal that vulnerable people with Alzheimer's disease should not receive treatments that have been proven to work. If these initial recommendations are finally approved thousands of people with dementia will be denied the only drug treatment available to them.

This seems just another example of the NHS failing to take dementia seriously as a medical condition. Despite the fact that these drugs are proven to work, NICE believes that they aren't good value for money. We know they are. The Society has seven years of evidence that proves that these drugs improve the quality of people's lives. NICE seem to think that people with dementia aren't worth spending money on, but how else can you change someone's life for just £2.50 a day?

Preventing people who may benefit from receiving a drug treatment that works will see us lose a decade of progress and return to a dark age of dementia care.'

The availability of these treatments has revolutionised dementia care; it has encouraged people to seek an early diagnosis; led to the establishment of memory clinics and improved the quality of life for thousands of people with dementia and their carers. The Alzheimer's Society is deeply concerned about the impact that this decision could have on these other areas of dementia care. If these drugs are no longer available people will see no incentive in seeking an early diagnosis for what is a degenerative and incurable condition and one that needs a great deal of support and information.

The Alzheimer's Society will be campaigning to change NICE's initial decision before the final guidance is issued later this year; meanwhile it will be advising its members to try not to panic and to continue taking their drugs as prescribed.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. People in the early stages may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words. As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer's will need more support from those who care for them, eventually needing help with all daily activities. These drug treatments do not cure Alzheimer's disease, and they do not work for everyone, but for the thousands that do benefit from them they offer hope. Any treatment that can give people with dementia and their carers an improved quality of life should be an essential part of dementia care.

Comments given to the Alzheimer's Society on drug treatments:

'I suppose that I want to convey the message that it is still possible, certainly in the early stages, to have Alzheimer's and a good life as well.'

Person with Alzheimer's disease, on drug treatment for two years

'This drug has put my life back to normal, my wife informs me that she has her husband back in her life again.'

Person with dementia, on drug treatments for two years.

'The drug treatments are considered by my father, my sisters and myself as almost a miracle. My mother changed from a silent morose person totally unaware of her deterioration to someone who started to read again, take notice of the news and happenings around her.'

Carer

'My mother was going downhill rapidly until she started the drug treatment - for example, mistaking hand basin for toilet - but now everything is fine. It really is a wonderful drug especially for the carer.'

Carer

Interviews with people with dementia and their carers on drug treatments can be provided on request.

For press and media queries please contact the Alzheimer's Society press office.

Notes for editors

• The drug treatments under review are Aricept, Exelon, Reminyl and Ebixa.
• Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl were recommended for prescription by the NHS for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in 2001.
• For a copy of the draft guidance visit http://www.nice.org.uk/.
• Ebixa is licensed for prescription for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease; no NICE guidance on ebixa has been published yet.
• The Alzheimer's Society is the Medical Journalists' Association Medical Charity of the Year. The Alzheimer's Society is the first organisation to win this award.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
• Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• We estimate that 54,000 people are currently being prescribed dementia drugs at a cost of £56.4 million annually to the NHS. This spend is above the 2001 estimate made in the NICE guidance. The number of people receiving prescriptions also represents a sizeable proportion of the 400,000 people with Alzheimer's disease.
• Our website address is http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.