The UK government will move ahead with plans to restrict the use of drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease to patients with moderate symptoms, according to the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
NICE, which is charged with determining the cost-effectiveness of drugs prescribed under the National Health Service in England and Wales, said that it would not relax its stance on the issue, despite an appeal by drugmakers, patients groups and other interested parties.
In a statement, NICE chief executive Andrew Dillon said: "we realise that today's announcement will be disappointing to people with Alzheimer's and those who treat and care for them. But we have to be honest and say that based on all the evidence, including data presented by the drug companies themselves, our experts have concluded that these drugs do not make enough of a difference for us to recommend their use for treating all stages of Alzheimer's disease."
The ruling, due to come into effect in November, affects the cholinesterase inhibitors on the UK market, namely Eisai/Pfizer's Aricept (donepezil), Shire's Reminyl (galantamine) and Novartis' Exelon (rivastigmine).
Source: PharmaTimes
2 comments:
These drugs are more harmful than helpful according to famed medical journals from Lancet to New England Medical Journal. Are there any class action lawsuits regarding Exelon?
These drugs have drawn comments truly negative reported in Lancet and New England Medical Journal amongst others. Is there a class action suit re Exelon at this time?
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