Fair access to new dementia treatments
Dementia effects the lives of thousands of families in Scotland, impacting not only those living with the condition but also the people care for them. While there is still no cure, for the first time in decades, there is real hope.
New dementia treatments
Two new treatments, lecanemab and donanemab, have been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, offering the possibility of more time and better quality of life for people in the early stages.
Yet despite these breakthroughs, neither treatment is currently available on the NHS. People in Scotland (across the UK) are being left waiting while decisions about cost and access are made on their behalf.
Each time a new dementia drug is assessed, it faces rejection but not because it doesn’t work, but because of concerns over cost and evidence thresholds that fail to reflect the scale and impact of dementia on individuals, families, and society.
We believe it’s time for a new approach. One that recognises the human value of these treatments.
Just as the NHS has created special funding routes, such as the Innovative Medicines Fund and Cancer Drugs Fund, we are calling for a Dementia Drugs Fund to ensure that new, disease-modifying treatments are made available swiftly and fairly. The value of these medicines cannot be measured by cost alone. The potential to help people stay independent, connected, and well for longer must count too.
At Alzheimer Scotland, we are already preparing for the future. Through Brain Health Scotland, we are working with the Scottish Government and NHS boards to build the infrastructure needed to deliver these new treatments effectively and safely.
This includes developing new diagnostic pathways, expanding access to advanced imaging and emerging blood tests, and piloting Brain Health Clinics to support early detection and prevention.
The UK’s first Brain Health Clinic, launched in Aberdeen in 2023 in partnership with NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government, has already supported over 140 people. It shows what’s possible when innovation, policy, and care come together.
Scotland now has a real opportunity to lead the way. With the right commitment and investment, we can make sure that when new treatments are approved, they reach the people who need them quickly, fairly, and without financial barriers.
