§ Vernon CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the level of Government support for research into the causes and treatment of dementia; and if he will make a statement. [23323]
§ Jacqui SmithThe National Service Framework for Older People highlights the development of services for people with dementia as a high priority. As such, future research underpinning the continued development of services for older people will take full account of dementia services.
We welcomed the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraisal of anti dementia drugs in January last year. The widespread availability for the anti dementia drugs appraised will have a profound effect on the quality of life for mental health sufferers; it will tilt the balance of specialist services towards earlier diagnosis and a more clinic-based approach than has been the case to date. With £12 million being made available for the prescribing of these drugs, it is expected that 15,000 people will benefit from NICE's guidance.
The Medical Research Council (MRC), the main agency through with the Government support research on the causes and treatment of disease and funded via the Department of Trade and Industry, spent approximately £8.2 million on dementia research in 2000–01.