dididave
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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 Posted:
Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:38 pm
Post subject:
Alzheimer's inhibiting drugs. |
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Drugs such as Donepezil that delay and help in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are to be restricted in their use.
Current NICE guidelines state:
Donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine are recommended as options for moderate Alzheimer’s disease only, and if:
* treatment is started by a doctor who specialises in the care of people with dementia
* patients who are started on the drug are checked every 6 months, usually by a specialist team
* the check-up includes a test called the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and assessment of the patient’s behaviour and ability to cope with daily life
the views of carers on the patient’s condition are discussed at the start of drug treatment and at check-ups
* the drug is stopped if the patient’s MMSE score falls below 10 points, or if the drug isn’t working
* the least expensive of these three drugs is prescribed first. However, if this is not suitable for the patient another drug could be chosen.
Memantine is not recommended as an option for people with moderately severe to severe Alzheimer’s disease unless it is being used as part of a clinical trial (research).
Patients already taking donepezil, galantamine or rivastigmine for mild Alzheimer’s disease or memantine for moderately severe to severe Alzheimer’s disease should be able to carry on having treatment. Treatment should continue until the patient, carers and/or specialist decide it is the right time to stop.
A review of the Guidelines was expected to take place and change these ruls to include early stage sufferers but this looks incresingly unlikely.
<b>The Alzheimer’s Society</b> has expressed its outrage at the NICE appeal panel’s rejection of the Alzheimer’s Society’s appeal on access to Alzheimer’s drugs. The panel have decided not to change the original guidance of the Appraisal Committee, stating that Alzheimer’s drugs should only be prescribed to people in the ‘moderate’ stages of the disease, and not in the early or later stages.
My own view that it is yet more costcutting on behalf of the NHS. As someone who works in a unit with residents with dementia it is insane to think that they will not be able to have access to drugs until they reach a pre-determined level of confusion. The fact that the assessment tools and ability of the Pscychogeriatrician are often lacking also means some people will get treatment were others will not.
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