National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) rejects Alzheimer's treatments

On Thursday, 19 June, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published final draft guidance for donanemab and lecanemab, the first disease-modifying treatments for early Alzheimer’s disease, which states the medicines should not be provided on the NHS. 

We're so proud that Alzheimer’s Society-funded research 30 years ago led to the treatment breakthroughs we’re seeing today.

What we think of the news

Professor Fiona Carragher, Alzheimer’s Society’s Chief Policy and Research Officer, said:  

“There is no doubt that today’s decision is a setback for people with Alzheimer’s disease. It is highly disappointing that we are in a situation where treatments that slow the progression of the condition are not available on the NHS.  

"The reality we’re faced with is that these treatments remain out of reach of both the NHS and most eligible people with Alzheimer’s disease. In other diseases like cancer, treatments have become more effective, safer and cheaper over time. It’s essential we see similar progress in dementia."

“The fact is, even if donanemab and lecanemab were made available on the NHS tomorrow, too many patients wouldn’t be able to access them because the health system isn’t ready to deliver them."

The science is flying but the system is failing.  

People with dementia should no longer be overlooked

“What we need now is for the UK government to commit to the long-term investment needed to fundamentally change dementia diagnosis so that we are ready for new treatments. This relies on an early diagnosis and access to specialist diagnostic tests, yet currently a third of people with dementia don’t have a diagnosis at all.  

“The needs of people with dementia have long been overlooked and this cannot continue. We are heading towards a future where disease-slowing treatments reduce the devastating impact of dementia, and we cannot afford to delay preparing the NHS for them.”