DRUGS FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Early day motion 1607, tabled 8 February 2006 by Howard Stoate (Labour). Signed by 91 members.

That this House recognises that the latest recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence allows access to Alzheimer's disease drugs for patients in the moderate stages of the illness; believes however that the decision is illogical as it excludes both mild and severe patients from effective treatment, which removes the ability of physicians to diagnose and treat patients early and effectively and removes the choice of clinicians to prescribe more than one class of drug; believes it is unethical to expect clinicians to wait for patients to deteriorate before offering well-proven and efficacious treatments and that the decision will place clinicians in the difficult position of having to withdraw treatments from severe stage patients at a point when behavioural issues are more prevalent and problematic and carers more stressed, which will result in greater pressure on social care systems; is concerned that the decision, if unaltered, will adversely affect patients with advanced disease, resulting in the NHS effectively abandoning many Alzheimer's disease sufferers and their carers and families to an uncertain and apprehensive future; agrees with the Minister of State for Health's comments in the House on 7th February 2006 that `the needs of carers, especially those who look after people with mental health problems, are paramount'; further believes that both classes of drug should be made available on the NHS; and calls on the Government to ensure that effective drug treatment options will remain for patients suffering from the mild and severe stages of the disease.

Signatures by party: Labour 52, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 9, DUP 6, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1.