Alzheimer's drug is of little benefit, money could be better spent on more nurses and doctors
It costs the UK government £1,000 to supply each person with cholinesterase inhibitors per year. In the UK, people over 65 get their prescriptions free.
Some experts have challenged the findings of the new research. They say the study was too small, with just 565 patients who had mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Half the patients were given Aricept while the other half were given a placebo. The researchers wanted to see if Aricept delayed the progress of Alzheimer's. They also wanted to find out whether Aricept reduced the need for institutional care, what the ideal dose was, how long treatment should be, what effect the drug had on mood and behaviour, what effect the drug might have on their daily activities, and whether Aricept relieved the burden on carers.
Richard Gray, head of the research team, said "We've known for some time that patients do better on memory tests when they take these drugs but the improvements were small and we wanted to find out whether patients got benefits that really mattered to them - for example, could they go for a walk and find their way home. In particular, we wanted to know whether Aricept delayed going into institutional care. If so, this alone would make the drugs worth paying for."
They found that Aricept had virtually no impact on any of the criteria they were examining. All they noticed was a super-miniscule improvement in memory. They admitted they were disappointed with the results.
In one test, patients were asked to spell the word 'WORLD' backwards. Those on the drug scored about one point more than the others (placebo). The scoring was on a scale of 0 to 30.
Richard Gray added, "There are a lot of people with dementia and far too little money available to look after them. Doctors and health-care funders need to question whether it would be better to invest in more doctors and nurses and better social support rather than routine prescription of these expensive drugs."
A NICE official said a new review on Alzheimer's drugs was being carried out, he said this new research would be considered. The new recommendations from NICE will be published next year.
Alzhemer's Disease groups in the UK said cholinesterase inhibitors do help slow down the progress of Alzheimer's disease, they say they are not convinced by the new study.
View drug information on ARICEPT.
Alzheimer's de droguri este de a beneficia puþin, ar putea fi mai bine de bani cheltuite pe mai multe asistente medicale ºi a medicilor - Alzheimer's drug is of little benefit, money could be better spent on more nurses and doctors - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate