Alzheimer's Society comment on high court ruling (01 May 2007) that procedural fairness required NICE to release a fully executable version of the cost-effectiveness model it used to produce guidance for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's

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

Today's decision is a damming indictment of the fundamentally flawed process used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to deny people with Alzheimer's disease access to drug treatments.  Since 2005 the Alzheimer's Society has spearheaded a campaign to end the discrimination resulting from these flaws and we are delighted these concerns have finally been recognised.

Time and quality of life has been snatched away from thousands of vulnerable people who learned they have this devastating disease this year.  This decision must now be urgently revisited to ensure everyone with Alzheimer's disease is given access to these drug treatments on the NHS, which cost just £2.50 per person per day.

One in three people who live past the age of 65 will die with dementia. For the price of a cup of coffee a day these treatments can improve their lives and the lives of their families. NICE's remit must be changed to ensure the wider benefits of treatments are always taken into account.

For further information please contact Press Office on 0207 423 3595.

Notes to editors:

• In March 2005, NICE, the government body which produces guidance on which drug treatments should be funded by the NHS, ruled four drug treatments licensed for Alzheimer's disease (Aricept, Exelon, Reminyl and Ebixa) should no longer be funded by the NHS. It acknowledged that the drugs were clinically effective, but stated that they were not cost effective. Following an unprecedented response NICE changed its position to allow only people in the moderate stages of the disease access to drug treatments. Following an unsuccessful appeal to an internal review body the Alzheimer's Society challenged the decision in the high court.
• Pfizer/Eisai, manufacturer of Aricept, was the lead claimant in this judicial review. The Alzheimer's Society acted as one of a number of separate interested parties in this challenge. Its legal team represented the interests of people with dementia and their carers and raised additional arguments.
• The Alzheimer's Society does not accept funding or any other support from the pharmaceutical industry for its campaign on access to Alzheimer's drug treatments.
• In August 2007 the High Court found that the guidance was unlawful but did not rule that NICE must reconsider its decision to restrict drug treatments to people in the moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease.
• In November 2007 the Alzheimer's Society decided it would not appeal the high court ruling but continue its campaign for access to drugs outside the courts.
• The Alzheimer's Society maintains that people living with dementia should be given access to these treatments. The treatments cost £2.50 per person per day.
• Further information about the campaign can be viewed at http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/News_and_Campaigns/Campaigning/accesstodrugs.htm
• Nice guidance applies to England and Wales. People currently on the drug treatments will continue to receive them.
• 1 in 3 older people will end their lives with a form of dementia.
• 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia.  This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051. 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.
• The Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and those who care for them. The Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• As a charity, the Alzheimer's Society depends on the generosity of the public to help it care, research and campaign for people with dementia. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or by visiting http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/. 
• The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/