General Chat

The Alzheimer's Society posted this on their website yesterday. The Health Select Committee announced an inquiry into the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on Friday (2nd February). Committee members will examine aspects of NICE's work including why decisions are increasingly being challenged; whether public confidence in NICE is waning and the appeal system. Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, says: This inquiry should put a long overdue spotlight on NICE’s methods and the Alzheimer’s Society will be submitting evidence to the health select committee. NICE’s appraisal process grossly disadvantages people with certain conditions. Its assessment of drugs for people with Alzheimer’s disease has been fatally flawed from start to finish, with devastating results for the 100,000 people who will develop dementia this year alone. The system also ignores the benefits these treatments offer legions of unpaid carers and the millions of pounds they save the country every year. There is no independent appeals process to NICE’s appraisal system and this has been noted by the health select committee before now. It is this glaring absence that has forced us to go to the high court and challenge the cruel and unethical decision to limit access to treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. We fully recognise the important role NICE plays within the healthcare system in the UK. Hopefully this review will highlight the changes that NICE should make to ensure people get the treatments they need and deserve.

Just signed Linda. I see it has till 2008 to run or have I got that wrong?My mum has been on arricept for some years now and as she is deteriorating now I had hoped she could try Ebixa but that option has been withdrawn. NICE??? What a misnomer! Love Chris x PS I sent the template letter requesting NICE to not withdraw these drugs to my MP before the decision was made. I added personal bits to the template so it wasn't just a repeat of all the other letters but it was never acknowledged! Have little faith in these people!

have signed,waiting for email, Karen

Linda, Just signed up. Got confirmation email within minutes. This country has gone to *ell in a basket! If your are a drug addict you get free Methodone but if u have alzheimers u just have to waste away!.. Derek I'm a diabetic on 12 drugs a day + insulin, diabetics don't pay for any of their medication. So why can't Alzheimer sufferers get one life saving drug!

Have just signed the petition and received the email confirmation straight away.

Hope those that are online during the week will help. Thank you. Linda x

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I've signed too

Please please keep the signatures coming! Linda x

Ive signed just waiting for the email Jackiexx

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I have sighed. I do not know what this country is coming too,withdrawing this drug which is so cheap and works for most patients. Val

Signed

Thanks for signing and for those that have sent PM's. Please get all your friends and family to sign up too, takes a minute of your time and so worthwhile. Thank you Linda x

nudge, need more signatures. Please sign.

, hiya linda , please give your vic a (((((((((((((hug))))))))) of me and jimmy xx

Been to New Zealand six years ago and loved it, actually my Dad died there in 1972 so feel I have some links. Also one branch of the family settled there in the 1890's and I am in regular contact with a cousin from that line met through this site! Linda x

Sorry, I should have said I am in New Zealand. Several people did ask if the doc had given him any pills for it. I think (looking back) he has had it coming on for quite a few years.

Huia That is the whole point newly diagnosed patients are not being prescribed the medication since last November. Of course it may not be suitable in your husbands case. My husband fortunately is on the medication and the improvement was startling. This is why I am fighting so hard for others to have the same chance. Linda x