§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities(a) have authorised the prescription of the drug Aricept to ameliorate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in each of the Government standard regions, (b) have refused to authorise its use and (c) have not yet reached a decision. [103634]
§ Ms StuartInformation about local policies on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is not available centrally, but I understand that there is some prescribing of Aricept in all health authorities.
Aricept and other pharmaceutical treatment for Alzheimer's disease will be reviewed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence as part of its first work programme. This work is expected to be completed by December 2000.