MP takes Alzheimer's fight to minister

10.32.59am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th Jun 2006

Local MP Tim Farron has asked Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to remove restrictions on the availability of Alzheimer's drugs. Tim met with concerned constituents during yesterday's lobby of Parliament. NICE has made recommendations to make certain drugs - including Aricept and Exiba - only available to a restricted number of Alzheimer's patients.

Tim met constituents Mr & Mrs Stevenson and their daughter Rebecca who had come to London on the lobby. During the meeting, Tim promised to support the demands to make Alzheimer's drugs available to all who would benefit from them.

Tim said: "It is ridiculous that drugs exist that would help people with Alzheimer's that NICE are refusing to make available. Patricia Hewitt must lift the restrictions so that Alzheimer's drugs are available to all who would benefit from them."