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Dept of Health

Answer

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's advice not to use risperidone and olanzapine to treat behavioural problems in older patients with dementia; and when new guidelines will be published in managing dementia. [190489] Dr. Ladyman: In March 2004, the Government's independent scientific advisory committee, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) advised that risperidone and olanzapine should not be used in the treatment of behavioural symptoms of dementia because of an increased risk of stroke. The high absolute risk of stroke associated with these products was considered to outweigh any benefits in treatment of behavioural symptoms of dementia. The advice was issued after careful consideration of all available data, possible clinical implications and advice from an expert working group, which included expertise in the management of behavioural problems in older patients with dementia. The CSM considered it important that risperidone remained an option for the short term treatment of acute psychoses in patients with dementia. Comprehensive treatment guidelines on the management of dementia developed in collaboration with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Geriatric Society, Royal College of Nurses, Alzheimer's Society and National Care Standards Commission were published to coincide with the CSM advice, together with an information sheet for patients and carers. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently developing a guideline on the management of dementia, including use of antipsychotic medication in older people in collaboration with the Social Care Institute for Excellence. The expected date of issue of this guideline is February 2007.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c795-6W;425 c796W; 190489

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Dementia Health hazards Drugs Medical treatments Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Olanzapine Risperidone

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk