Alzheimer's Society NICE challenge submitted to high court

The dossier of evidence highlights the way NICE drastically underestimated costs of care, overlooked benefits of drugs to carers and ignored the way the decision will grossly discriminate against people of different cultural and educational backgrounds.

The staggering submission is the first stage of a lengthy legal appeal that will challenge NICE in the high court for the first time. Campaigners are now awaiting a court date for arguments to be heard.

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

'The evidence we are presenting today highlights serious flaws in the process NICE have used. The decision is a blow for millions of people already devastated by Alzheimer's disease. We have been left with no choice but to champion the rights of people with dementia and their carers in the high court.'

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

Notes to editors

•  In March 2005, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (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 three out of the four 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 the disease access to drug treatments. Following an unsuccessful appeal to an internal review body the Alzheimer's Society is now challenging the decision in the high court.
• Further information about the campaign can be viewed here.
• Nice guidance applies to England and Wales. People currently on the drug treatments will continue to receive them.
• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• Over 700,000 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 18,000 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.