§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding the mechanisms in place to ensure equitable uptake for new treatments for Alzheimer's; and if he will make a statement. [74208]
§ Jacqui SmithAccording to our records we are not aware of any recent representations regarding the mechanisms in place to ensure equitable uptake for new122W treatments for Alzheimer's. In January 2001 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended that donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine should be made available on the National Health Service as one component of the management of those people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Patients whose clinicians prescribe the drugs in line with NICE'S guidance should now receive the appropriate treatment.
Implementation of the national service framework for older people will ensure that people with Alzheimer's receive the treatment and care they need.
§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent in the last 12 months on Alzheimer's treatments; how many patients benefitted from Alzheimer's treatments in that period broken down by(a) health authority and (b) health trust; and if he will make a statement. [74207]
§ Jacqui SmithThe information requested is not routinely collected. Information is, however, available on the cost of the three drugs—donepezil, rivastigme and galantamine—currently used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's and on the number of finished consultant episodes where the primary diagnosis is Alzheimer's.
The 2001–02 cost of the three drugs (excluding discounts) dispensed in the community was around £13.3 million (information is not available on their cost when dispensed in hospitals). The 2000–01 information for finished consultant episodes has been placed in the Library.