Alzheimer's Society comment on high court ruling that NICE must hand over the executable model used in the Alzheimer's drugs appraisal and pay costs

Published 9 May 2008

'Understanding how NICE reached its decision to deny treatments to thousands of people in the early stages of Alzheimer's has been difficult when NICE has kept their calculations secret.

'It's like trying to guess what is wrong with a broken down car without being able to check the engine or the brakes.

'We look forward to seeing the detailed assumptions behind the decision so we can have a real debate with NICE over our concerns that this appraisal has been flawed from the beginning.

'It is very disappointing that it has been necessary to spend precious time and money to go to court. The costs of the legal process alone could have paid for a thousand people newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's to have access to treatments for a whole year.

'We look forward to working with NICE and the Department of Health to ensure that in future the needs of people with dementia and their carers are fully recognised.'

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

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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 only 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. Click here for details.
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 visiting www.alzheimers.org.uk.
The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit www.alzheimers.org.uk