Dementia UK welcomes recent progress on Alzheimer’s treatment

National charity organisation Dementia UK has responded positively to recent healthcare sector developments that will make it easier for Alzheimer's patients to receive treatment.

Ian Weatherhead, lead nurse for the organisation's Admiral Nursing Direct helpline, said the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE's) decision to amend its prescribing guidelines will bring benefits to dementia sufferers.

The UK healthcare regulator announced last month that it will be making drugs such as Aricept and Reminyl available to patients with mild Alzheimer's symptoms, whereas in the past they had only been prescribed in moderate or severe cases.

Mr Weatherhead said Dementia UK has been campaigning for such a move for years, as under the previous guidelines patients were unable to receive any treatment for their condition until it had already had a serious effect on their cognitive ability.

He said it is now important for investment into research for new Alzheimer's drugs to be maintained.

"Funding into research is a vital means in fighting the battle against dementia and ultimately finding a cure," Mr Weatherhead explained.