Wider Social Benefits Should be Considered by NICE

2.04.22pm GMT Fri 17th Nov 2006

Commenting on the news that two drug companies plan to apply for a judicial review of the way NICE reached its conclusion on the Alzheimer drug Donepezil, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP said: "Decisions should be made as swiftly as possible by NICE, while remaining transparent, consistent and based on the best available medical evidence.

"The refusal to disclose the full workings of their decision means people are in the dark as to whether they took all the right factors into account.

"The court action will hopefully inform the debate about whether NICE should consider a larger range of costs and benefits when assessing new drugs. If a new treatment provides wider social benefits - for example to carers - this should be included in the evaluation."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

In England and Wales, where the NICE ruling applies, 290 000 people have Alzheimer's disease, with numbers set to rise as the population ages.