Alzheimer Scotland Responds To NICE Court Date On Dementia Drugs

Alzheimer Scotland welcomes news that a fast-track hearing has been ordered for a High Court challenge to the refusal of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to back dementia drugs for thousands of people on the NHS. NICE has argued that such recommendations were made because the drugs concerned "were not particularly effective for people with mild Alzheimer's disease," and that resources would be more effectively used for other treatments. Although NICE is based in England, its recommendations are adopted by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland for implementation north of the border. The four day hearing will commence on 25th June 2007.


Despite NICE's request for a later court date, on the basis of difficulties securing barristers for the judicial review, Deputy High Court judge James Goudie QC ruled that the landmark case must take place in June, due to its public importance and "exceptional urgency."


Earlier this year the High Court granted permission to proceed to a Judicial Review on the following three grounds:


-- Procedural: since NICE has repeatedly refused to disclose a fully working version of the cost effectiveness model used to determine the value of treatment in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease, the process leading to the Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) and the new treatment guidance breached the principles of procedural fairness


-- Irrationality: some of the assumptions made or conclusions drawn in the FAD are irrational or cannot be supported


-- Human Rights/Discrimination: the use of MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) scores as a rigid tool to determine access to treatment discriminates against certain patient groups


Jim Jackson, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, greeted this news with cautious optimism,


"We welcome the promptness of the judicial review and the recognition of its importance by Judge Goudie. These drugs have a positive part to play in moderating the effects of early-to-moderate stage Alzheimer's disease for many people. They have already led to earlier diagnoses for people with dementia across Scotland. The removal of these early treatments will be step backwards for dementia care in Scotland."


From the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Manifesto 2007:

Let's make dementia a priority


Scottish clinical guidelines* recommend drugs for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease; but the NHS won't pay. The cost? About ??1,000 a year per person to the NHS. The benefit? For those the drugs help, the chance to function as normally as possible for as long as they can, to stay independent and to make legal and financial arrangements, saving expense and heartache for them and their families now and in the future. Early treatment is the only chance people have of getting back close to their normal ability - there is no chance of this if they have to wait.


If dementia affected people in their 20s, would they have to wait until they were seriously impaired before getting treatment?


Carers facing the challenges of looking after someone with severe dementia are also denied the chance to see if Alzheimer's disease drugs might help. They need all the help they can get.


Denying people the drugs they need on the NHS will increase health inequality, as only those who can afford to pay get the treatment they need.


About dementia:


-- Dementia affects approximately 58,000 people in Scotland.

-- Alzheimer's disease is the main form of dementia.

-- The second most common is vascular dementia.

-- As yet there is no cure.


About Alzheimer Scotland


Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland's foremost voluntary organisation working for people with dementia and their carers. It:


-- speaks out for the rights and concerns of people with dementia and their carers;

-- operates services on over 60 sites throughout Scotland providing practical services such as day, evening and weekend centres, home care and befriending and carers' support services;

-- provides the 24 hour national freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000);

-- provides the website alzscot;

-- supports a network of over 40 carers' support groups;

-- provides information to carers, professionals and people with dementia;

-- publishes leaflets, booklets, reports and a quarterly newsletter keeping carers and professionals up-to-date

-- has a research programme.



Freephone 24hr Dementia Helpline telephone number: (UK) 0808 808 3000

alzscot