Alzheimer's drugs decision based on flawed calculations

There has been widespread condemnation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) decision to restrict Alzheimer's drugs that cost just £2.50 a day on the NHS.

Following a ruling by the Court of Appeal in May 2008, NICE was ordered to release the health economic model used to make the decision to key stakeholders. Alzheimer's Society has reviewed the calculations and submitted a detailed analysis to NICE. The charity has today appealed for NICE to review its decision on Alzheimer's drugs.

Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society, says,

'We have always argued that the way NICE calculated the cost effectiveness of Alzheimer's drugs was fundamentally flawed.  Now that we have examined NICE's calculations first hand and taken expert advice, Alzheimer's Society remains convinced that denying people with Alzheimer's effective drugs makes no sense.

NICE must urgently review its decision. One in three people over 65 will die with dementia; the current state of dementia care and treatment in the UK is a national scandal.'

Alzheimer's Society cannot release its full response to NICE due to NICE's confidentiality rules. However, previously the charity has highlighted the following concerns about the way cost effectiveness is calculated:

• NICE assumes everyone who starts treatment continues on it. In reality, only those who benefit from drugs would stay on them.
• NICE has drastically underestimated the cost savings to the State of people receiving treatment and remaining active in the community (rather than cared for in homes or hospitals)
• NICE does not take into account the full benefit drug treatment can have on a carer's quality of life.
  

In October 2008, the House of Lords denied NICE the right to appeal the high court decision which ordered it to release a copy of the executable model.
Notes to editors:

• Since May 2006 three Alzheimer's drugs have been denied to people in the early stages of the disease on the NHS.
• On 1 May 2008 the Court of Appeal found in favour of Eisai/Pfizer ruling NICE should have allowed public access to the health economic model that it used to make its decision.
• On 17 June 2008 NICE sought permission from the House of Lords to appeal the Court of Appeal decision.
• 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 will die with 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.
• Dementia is not a natural part of ageing; it is caused by diseases of the brain and robs people of their lives.
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and those who care for them. Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336

For futher information please contact the press office on 0207 423 3595 or email press@alzheimers.org.uk