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Access to drugs
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People with Alzheimer’s disease are being denied access to drugs which provide important symptomatic relief.
There are four drugs licensed for people with Alzheimer’s disease in the UK.
Three of the drugs are anticholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Reminyl and Exelon). In 2001 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) found these drugs to be both clinically and cost effective for people with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this we know that prescribing rates vary across the country.
In some trusts there are long waiting lists for assessment. As the drugs are only effective for people if they are treated early in the disease, many people with dementia are no longer suitable for them once they are assessed. We also know that in some trusts there are many people in care homes and in the community who could benefit from these drugs who are not being assessed for them.
The other drug for people with moderate to late stage Alzheimer’s disease is Ebixa. Like the other drugs, it does not alter the progression of the disease but does allow some people to retain their ability to cope with every day tasks for longer.
A carer writes:
‘My husband has only been on Ebixa for one week and already the change in his condition is remarkable. Previously he was unable to go to the toilet unaided. Now he can. He is in a care home and was not able to walk by himself. Now he is up and about. I am having to buy it privately because the consultant was not willing to prescribe on the NHS.’
Across the country access to Ebixa is being severely restricted. There are some trusts prescribing Ebixa on the NHS, while many others do not.
The Alzheimer’s Society believes that everyone who could benefit from these treatments should be given access to them.
If you would like a fuller briefing or more information please contact Andrew Chidgey, the campaigns officer on 020 7306 0883 or email him on achidgey@alzheimers.org.uk
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