AN ALZHEIMER'S support group is outraged that the NHS drugs watchdog plans to restrict patients from accessing important treatment.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has said that sufferers in the early and late stages of the debilitating disease should not be treated with drugs costing only £2.50 a day.

Kari Dorme, chairman of the South Bucks Branch of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "They're proven to work, these drugs. It seems so unfair that the only thing that gives our carers hope and some help is going to be taken away from them, and also, it seems very bizarre to give drugs when people are getting worse."

"Alzheimer's and dementia get very little help from the NHS anyway. If you have Alzheimer's you don't get a hospital bed and you have to pay for your own nursing care. These drugs, they really do give hope."

She added: "What sort of community is it when the health of hundreds of thousands of people are sold off just to save £2.50 a day? Why wait until they get worse? It does help a lot of people in the early stages. They're just saving money."

NICE's decision was based on evidence that the drugs do not make enough difference and so it could not recommend using them at all stages of the disease.

Three drugs Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl will only be available to patients in the moderate stages of the disease, while a fourth drug Exbixa will only be used in clinical studies.

NICE approved the drugs, which make day to day living easier for sufferers, as standard in 2001.

Four years later however, they decided they should only be prescribed to patients in the moderate stages. Their latest decision means doctors and consultants will not be able to give them to newly diagnosed patients in the early stages of Alzheimers. Those already using the drugs can continue to do so.

Speaking on Wednesday when the appeal was rejected, Andrew Dillon, NICE chief executive, said: "Alzheimer's is a cruel and devastating illness and we realize that today's announcement will be disappointing to people with Alzheimer's and those who treat and care for them.

"But we have to be honest and say that based on all the evidence, including data presented by the drug companies themselves, our experts have concluded that these drugs do not make enough of a difference for us to recommend their use for treating all stages of Alzheimer's disease. We have recommended the use of these drugs where they have the potential to make a real difference, which is at the moderate stage of the illness."

The Alzheimer's Society South Bucks branch is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and provides support and advice for carers and sufferers. For more information call its help line on: 01494 670909.