ALZHEIMER'S AND NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE DECISION

Early day motion 662, tabled 21 July 2005 by Martin Horwood (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 217 members.

That this House expresses its deep concern that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraisal committee has rejected the responses to the consultation on Alzheimer's drugs and has not yet approved prescription of these drugs on the NHS; believes that these drugs are both clinically and cost effective; notes that NICE agrees that the drugs provide clinical benefits; further notes that the average cost of treatment is £2.50 per day; further notes that thousands of people with dementia and their carers have made representations to NICE that these drugs improve quality of life; further notes that an alliance of leading patient and professional organisations in dementia care and research has been launched to campaign for fair access to drug treatments for people with dementia on the NHS; agrees with the Action on Alzheimer's Drugs Alliance that effective drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease should be available on the NHS; fears that NICE has failed to consider the important concerns raised by the Department of Health about its draft guidance; and calls upon the Government to ensure that these concerns are addressed.

Signatures by party: Labour 112, Conservative 52, Liberal Democrat 42, DUP 5, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1, UUP 1.