Great Concern.
- By jeanette
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Tue 10 Jan 2006 12:27
An article is in one of the big Nationals today, states that Four Alzheimers drugs are likely to be banned in England and Wales , (not Northern Ireland or Scotland)) possibly next month. The actual words are,
'N.I.CE. is planning to AXE four Alzheimers drugs including Ebixa as they are concidered too expensive for the NHS.
A final decision is expected later this month.This is an absolute disgrace to anyone who has or is using the drugs AND to anyone who needs them in the future. Hopefully the newspaper has caused this massive concern unintentionally and there is hope on the horizon ,but doesnt sound like it. There is lack of facilities on a grand scale for people in dementia already, especially young age dementia ..
Are they now planning on making our lives even harder!?
Replies
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By Nickno
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Re: Great Concern.
Tue 10 Jan 2006 14:55Hi Jeanette,
Yes this is a pretty shocking state of affairs; it seems that NICE are withdrawing the drugs as a cost measure despite their proven clinical effectiveness. I just spoke to the Alzheimer's society who provided the following info (which is also published on their site):
"Nice will announce a decision on the future of drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease in January 2006. It is due to publish its final guidance in April 2006. Draft guidance, published in March 2005, confirmed the drug treatments were clinically effective but questioned their costeffectiveness. The draft guidance recommended that the anticholinesterase drugs should be withdrawn and that Ebixa, licensed for moderate-severe to severe Alzheimer’s disease, should only be prescribed as part of a clinical trial."
The Society have been running a campaign on this for some time, but it seems that time is running out. It does seem like a very harsh business-like decision to have been made in such a sensitive area,
Regards
Nick
- By jeanette
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Re: Great Concern.
Fri 13 Jan 2006 13:20I have just heard from the Alzheimers Society that patients already on the drugs are likely to remain on them ,.new referrals are most likely to be refused . As I know of the help these drugs give ,even though over a relatively short space of time, I would suggest you email your MP and ask them to support EDM 662. (Early day motion)The info is on the Campaigning page of The Alzheimers Society. It gives you a prepared message ,which you can change if you want to,and also sends it to your MP.You only have to give a few details about yourself. Address etc
- By Lynn
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Re: Great Concern.
Fri 13 Jan 2006 20:35I've done it in support Jeanette - L x
- By jeanette
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Re: Great Concern.
Fri 13 Jan 2006 21:04Thank you Lynn.that will be appreciated by any one who has Alzheimers/Dementia in their family ,especially me!
A huge number of people supported the campaign to stop the withdrawal of these drugs including a large number of MPs, but N.I.C.E appear to have ignored them!! Just remember everyone ,it might not be in your family yet !! But who knows what will come in the future!!