Keep Drugs for Alzheimer’s disease Available says MP

Neil Gerrard, Labour MP for Walthamstow, is backing calls for the Government to reject the recommendations of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) which would stop the supply of drugs for Alzheimer’s disease on the NHS.

NICE has issued a consultation paper on its proposals, and is asking for responses to the plans. Mr Gerrard said “There are nearly half a million people in the country who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. It is a chronic progressive condition for which there is no cure, but where the drugs now available offer some relief and real benefits to patients. To suggest withdrawing these treatments from the NHS because they cost £2.50 a day strikes me as absurd.”

“Doctors, patients and their carers say this would be a disaster, and would be a callous way of disregarding patients who are mainly elderly. I am pleased that Health Ministers have responded promptly and told NICE that they need to consider the effects, both medical and social, of their suggestions. I strongly believe that the Government should reject the advice of NICE if they persist with this recommendation after the consultation period and ensure that patients continue to be able to get the drugs through the National Health Service.”

July 2005

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