Anti-dementia drugs

In response to the article Dementia Drugs Divert Funds From Quality Care (September 4) the Malta Dementia Society would like to add that its position in response to the NICE recommendations on anti-dementia drugs is in line with that advocated by Alzheimer's Europe (in a document dated February 13, 2006).

Alzheimer's Europe is an umbrella organisation of 28 national Alzheimer associations from 24 European countries. Its mission is that of being an interface between national Alzheimer associations and European structures in order to represent the interests of people with dementia and their carers, to promote information exchange and to develop policy. In its response, Alzheimer Europe states that:

Enough clinical evidence exists to support the use of anti-dementia drugs since clinical trials have shown them to be effective not only in improving memory, but also for beneficial effects on behaviour and activities of daily living.

This clinical data on the effectiveness of anti-dementia drugs are supported by testimonies of great numbers of people with dementia and their carers.

Cost-effectiveness models used by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence fail to duly take into account effects on quality of life of carers of people with Alzheimer's disease. Similarly, cost models for care used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence do not take into account the optimum care that people should receive but are rather based on actual care provided which is often inadequate and of low quality.

The existence of anti-dementia drugs has contributed to the development of dementia care through an expansion of memory clinics and other specialised services offering early diagnosis, advice and support for people with dementia

The NICE recommendations would discriminate against a significant proportion of the population who already suffers from stigma and ageist prejudices.

Alzheimer Europe and its member organisations including the Malta Dementia Society know that the current treatments do not constitute a cure for people with Alzheimer's disease.

While we may, therefore, look forward to a new generation of drugs with more substantial benefits in the future, we also recognise the impact that the current drugs have had on individual patients and carers and we are convinced that they deserve to be part of the complex pattern of care of people with Alzheimer's disease. It is also suggested that treatment should be offered as one part of a care package taking into account the various needs of people with dementia and their carers and the existing anti-dementia drugs should be made available for free under the National Health Scheme for people with Alzheimer's disease.

The recommendations mentioned here are contained in the document Alzheimer Europe Response To The Preliminary NICE Recommendations and were backed by over 100 associations and experts from 35 countries. A copy of this document can be provided upon request (contact info@maltademetiasociety.org.mt ).