View attachment 199The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has recommended that three drugs - Aricept, Reminyl and Exelon - can be prescribed on the NHS to patients in the early stages of the disease.
Three years ago it controversially restricted the drugs to those with moderate symptoms, forcing doctors to wait until patients got worse before starting treatment. It even went to court to defend its position.
But in draft recommendations Nice now says the drugs are cost-effective.
Chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon said: "I do understand that patients and those who care for them will be frustrated that we weren't able to make this recommendation in the guidance that went out in 2007.
"But of course, it is important to remember that these drugs don't stop the progression through the mild and the moderate and the severe stages of the disease. They provide a temporary reprieve.
"So as they moved into the moderate stages of the disease they would have been able to get access to these drugs."
The drugs cost around £2.80 a day.
They are effective in around half of patients with mild symptoms, stabilising everyday function by around six months.
The Alzheimer's Society campaigned for better access to treatment.
Research manager Dr Anne Corbett said: "A lot of people have said that the fog has lifted from their brain, they're able to think a bit clearer and they are just able to go about their independent lives.
"So things like getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and playing with their grandchildren are easier - things that we take for granted. But you just can't put a price on things like that."
Around 465,000 people in Britain have Alzheimer's. Another 62,000 develop the disease each year.
Ann Johnson was prescribed Reminyl four years ago after being diagnosed with moderate Alzheimer's.
The drug has improved her memory and helped with everyday tasks.
She said the U-turn by Nice was welcome, but overdue.
"I have always worried that people in the early stages, who have no access to drugs, have to live with their symptoms," she said.
"If they can now become alert again, and if their symptoms can be contained or stopped from getting worse, that gives them their quality of life back."
Care services minister Paul Burstow said: "This news will be welcomed by families up and down the country.
"For drugs like this to be used effectively, people need to be diagnosed early. It's not acceptable that two-thirds of people with dementia never get a diagnosis."
Nice has also recommended the drug Ebixa for patients with severe symptoms, such as aggression.
Currently many of these patients are given anti-psychotic drugs to sedate them - something which has been widely condemned as a "chemical cosh".
Three years ago it controversially restricted the drugs to those with moderate symptoms, forcing doctors to wait until patients got worse before starting treatment. It even went to court to defend its position.
But in draft recommendations Nice now says the drugs are cost-effective.
Chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon said: "I do understand that patients and those who care for them will be frustrated that we weren't able to make this recommendation in the guidance that went out in 2007.
"But of course, it is important to remember that these drugs don't stop the progression through the mild and the moderate and the severe stages of the disease. They provide a temporary reprieve.
"So as they moved into the moderate stages of the disease they would have been able to get access to these drugs."
The drugs cost around £2.80 a day.
They are effective in around half of patients with mild symptoms, stabilising everyday function by around six months.
The Alzheimer's Society campaigned for better access to treatment.
Research manager Dr Anne Corbett said: "A lot of people have said that the fog has lifted from their brain, they're able to think a bit clearer and they are just able to go about their independent lives.
"So things like getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and playing with their grandchildren are easier - things that we take for granted. But you just can't put a price on things like that."
Around 465,000 people in Britain have Alzheimer's. Another 62,000 develop the disease each year.
Ann Johnson was prescribed Reminyl four years ago after being diagnosed with moderate Alzheimer's.
The drug has improved her memory and helped with everyday tasks.
She said the U-turn by Nice was welcome, but overdue.
"I have always worried that people in the early stages, who have no access to drugs, have to live with their symptoms," she said.
"If they can now become alert again, and if their symptoms can be contained or stopped from getting worse, that gives them their quality of life back."
Care services minister Paul Burstow said: "This news will be welcomed by families up and down the country.
"For drugs like this to be used effectively, people need to be diagnosed early. It's not acceptable that two-thirds of people with dementia never get a diagnosis."
Nice has also recommended the drug Ebixa for patients with severe symptoms, such as aggression.
Currently many of these patients are given anti-psychotic drugs to sedate them - something which has been widely condemned as a "chemical cosh".
