Richard Burt Joins Fight To Save Drug Treatment For Alzheimer's Sufferers

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 10th Jul 2006

West Worcestershire Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt today issued a statement in support of the Alzheimer's Society's campaign to continue drug prescriptions for all diagnosed Alzheimer's sufferers.

Richard Burt said: "The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently issued recommendations to prevent those in the early and late stages of the disease from receiving anticholinesterase drugs that relieve symptoms and allows sufferers to remain more independent.

"Drug treatment can save an hour a day of carer time. If this was costed at the minimum wage it would be more than twice the price of the drug treatments which is £2.50 a day.

"I simply do not understand how you could tell someone that they have Alzheimer's, but that they cannot receive treatment until their condition becomes worse. This seems an illogical and callous step to take when early intervention would prolong and improve the quality of life for sufferers and their loved ones."