Nice decision lets down Alzheimer's sufferers says Potts

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Jul 2005

"It is difficult to believe that the benefits to society, to Alzheimer's sufferers, and to their carers of effective treatment is not worth £2.50 per day." says POTTS

Commenting on the proposals to stop drugs available to sufferers of Alzheimer's disease being made available on the NHS, Liberal Democrat Sam Potts, said:

"It is difficult to believe that the benefits to society, to Alzheimer's sufferers, and to their carers of effective treatment is not worth £2.50 per day.

"It is alarming that after three years the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence have now decided that these drugs are not cost effective. These drugs have been a lifeline for many sufferers and their carers.

"NICE need to demonstrate that the way they calculate cost-effectiveness is not ageist and does not unfairly discriminate against older people.

"The Government owes it to sufferers to ensure drugs are available whilst further trials are carried out, to establish which patients will benefit from these drugs."

ENDS