"Patients must receive most appropriate Alzheimer's care", states Annette Brooke

4.05.35pm GMT Mon 23rd Jan 2006

NICE decides which drugs can be prescribed on the NHS

Commenting on the latest guidance issued by NICE suggesting that certain Alzheimer's drugs should be available on the NHS, but not for those with mild or severe forms of the disease, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Annette Brooke, said:

"It is deeply disappointing that NICE have decided that these drugs are not cost effective for those with mild or severe forms of the disease. For many sufferers and their carers these drugs are a lifeline and have been a real benefit. Given that there is a large amount of evidence to show that the drugs have been of benefit in the early stages it seems cruel to have to tell a patient that they can be treated but the powers that be want them to get worse before they will treat you.

"The impact on social care costs and the benefits to carers ought to be taken into account when assessing the cost effectiveness of these drugs. It is clear that this had not been done.

"NICE need to demonstrate that the way they calculate cost-effectiveness is not ageist. It must not unfairly discriminate against older people who are most likely to suffer from Alzheimer's and benefit from these drugs.

"Further studies are now required on the evidence for the effectiveness of Exiba and Memantine, drugs used in the later stages of Alzheimer's."

Annette Brooke MP wrote to NICE shortly before the General Election last year urging the Institute to consider the evidence from many carers who wrote with moving examples of how these drugs helped the day-to-day life of sufferers of Alzheimer's disease and their carers.

ENDS