Alzheimer Scotland welcomes NICE draft decision on improved treatment options for dementia

Anecdotal evidence has indicated to us that Scotland has been in a more favourable position than much of the UK, as the prescribing of Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl has been largely left to the judgement individual clinicians. Nevertheless, we welcome the move by NICE to make these drugs more readily accessible.

However, we are particularly pleased that Ebixa could now be available for people with moderate to severe dementia. There has been a significant lack of treatment options for people in the later stages of the illness and this has influenced the high level of inappropriate prescribing of powerful psychoactive medications, which often have problematic and dangerous side effects for people with dementia.

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland

NICE is inviting people to comment on the draft decision by 28 October, with a second meeting of the Appraisal Committee taking place on 25 November. The latest decision has been taken as part of a review cycle of Alzheimer’s drug treatments by NICE.