Three Quarters of Public Back NHS Funding for Alzheimer’s treatments

Three quarters (75%) of people believe the NHS should fund new treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, even if the benefits are modest, according to new polling commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society.

The findings come as commercial discussions are underway for the potential arrival of a new generation of Alzheimer’s treatments that target the disease itself rather than just its symptoms.

Lecanemab and donanemab were licensed as safe and effective in Britain over two years ago, but NICE did not recommend them for routine NHS use. Discussions are ongoing about alternative arrangements that could enable people to access these treatments.

For people affected by dementia, even a small slowing of progression can mean more time maintaining independence, relationships and everyday activities, as well as more time with the people they love, doing the things that matter most to them.

Dementia affects around one million people in the UK and remains the country’s biggest killer. While current dementia medications can help some people manage symptoms, new disease-modifying treatments are designed to slow the underlying disease process in people with early Alzheimer’s disease, which is the leading cause of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Society says the benefits of these treatments could extend beyond just the person living with dementia – by slowing progression of the disease, these treatments could ease some of the impact on family carers.

This is the first time NICE has considered the potential benefits to carers as part of its appraisal. A treatment approval would also help drive much-needed change to diagnosis and services.

Michelle Dyson CB, Alzheimer’s Society’s CEO, said: “These findings send a clear message that the public wants to see dementia treated as a healthcare priority. These treatments mark an important step in how we treat and view dementia.

“People with Alzheimer’s in other countries such as the US are already benefitting from these safe and effective new treatments, while those in the UK have been left waiting or must pay for them privately.

“Our data shows the public agree with what we hear from families every day – an extra six months of independence makes a real and meaningful difference.

“We’ve seen with cancer how new treatments have become more effective, safer and more affordable over time, and this will happen with dementia too.

“But new treatments are only as powerful as the health system behind them, and an early and accurate diagnosis is needed to access them. Investment in diagnosis, testing, specialist services and care will be essential if people are to benefit fairly and quickly from advances in dementia research, whether it’s for these two drugs or others coming down the line.”