UK
UK Government response to NICE consultation on Alzheimer's drugs
By DOH, UK
Mar 23, 2005, 18:33

Health Secretary John Reid has today met with the Alzheimer's Society and discussed the Government's response to the NICE consultation on its draft appraisal of drugs for Alzheimer's Disease.

On 1 March NICE published for consultation draft guidance recommending that donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine should not be routinely used in the NHS.

John Reid said:

"We recognise the particular challenge that NICE has faced with this review and acknowledge the considerable efforts that have gone into it. Many individuals and organisations have expressed their concern about the proposed withdrawal of these drugs used for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

"NICE is an independent and well respected organisation with an important role in giving advice to clinicians on a range of technologies and treatments. We fully support and value its advice and guidance.

"As a stakeholder, invited to comment, I have brought to NICE's attention a number of questions which this proposed guidance raises. In particular, whether NICE has carried out a cost effectiveness analysis of this medication compared to non-drug interventions for cognition, behaviour, activity of daily living and carer burden. I have also asked if NICE would consider reassessing cost effectiveness including a factor of carer time in the outcome. NICE is currently working on guidance on dementia care and we will discuss with NICE how both of these two pieces of guidance could be best managed, so that patients, carers and clinicians have access to a single suite of advice that covers the management of this condition."


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