Written question asked by David Atkinson (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 April 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will decide whether the drug Memantine should be made available on the NHS to treat Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will decide whether the drug Memantine should be made available on the NHS to treat Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement. [106520] Jacqui Smith: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) will appraise memantine, for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, as part of the eighth wave of its work programme. Until NICE has made its recommendations, local decisions are being made about its availability on the National Health Service based on each area's interpretation of publicly available effectiveness data.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 106520; 404 c254-5W;404 c254W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Alzheimer's disease Drugs Medical treatments Prescription drugs Memantine
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk