Alzheimer Scotland welcomes SIGN guidelines for use of dementia drugs

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
08 March 2006
To: News/Health/Community Editors

Alzheimer Scotland welcomes the publication of the new Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN’s) report - Management of People with Dementia as it recommends the use of cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of people with all stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Of particular relevance is the recommendation that all three cholinesterase inhibitors should be prescribed for mild-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, and that Donepezil should be prescribed for cognitive decline in severe dementia.

These recommendations are contrary to the draft recommendations from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) who recommend that cholinesterase inhibitors should only be prescribed to those with moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Jim Jackson, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland says, “The detailed assessment of evidence by the SIGN review committee should put a nail in the coffin of the NICE recommendations in Scotland. Their findings on these drugs treatments will be warmly welcomed by families and supporters of people with Alzheimer’s disease who have been campaigning for fair and comprehensive treatment for all at the point of diagnosis.”

Other recommendations supported by Alzheimer Scotland are the use of Galantamine for cognitive decline in mixed dementia and Rivastgmine for people with dementia with Lewy Bodies.

Interviews with Jim Jackson can be arranged

Please give our Freephone 24hr Dementia Helpline telephone number: 0808 808 3000 and our website address: www.alzscot.org at the end of articles.

Contact details:

Sarah Bromley, PR & Marketing Manager, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07966 458 869, sbromley@alzscot.org
Jim Jackson, Chief Executive, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07747 025 041, jjackson@alzscot.org

Note for Editor:

Dementia affects approximately 63,000 people in Scotland.
Alzheimer’s disease is the main form of dementia. The second most common is vascular dementia. As yet there is no cure.

Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s foremost voluntary organisation working for people with dementia and their carers. It:

• speaks out for the rights and concerns of people with dementia and their carers;
• operates services on over 60 sites throughout Scotland providing practical services such as day, evening and weekend centres, home care and befriending and carers' support services;
• provides the 24 hour national freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000);
• provides the website www.alzscot.org;
• supports a network of over 40 carers' support groups;
• provides information to carers, professionals and people with dementia;
• publishes leaflets, booklets, reports and a quarterly newsletter keeping carers and professionals up-to-date
• has a research programme.