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news.Drug companies and Alzheimer's sufferers have gone to the UK's High Court to battle a decision made by medicine-cost watchdog NICE to restrict access to vital drugs on the National Health Service.
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The Alzheimer’s Society and drug makers Eisai and Pfizer want to overturn the watchdog’s decision not to approve a group of three drugs known as Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl, or acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors, for patients in early stages of the disease. The drugs cost approximately GBP2.50 a day.
This is the first time the government rationing agency has faced such legal action.
NICE said the drugs were not particularly clinically or cost effective for mild Alzheimer’s sufferers. The reality is that, for Alzheimer’s disease, drugs are only part of the care that needs to be offered, said Andrew Dillon, chief executive of NICE.
The High Court hearing is scheduled to last four days.