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The economic consequences of Alzheimer's disease in the context of new drug developments

Knapp, Martin R J., Wilkinson, Clare, Wigglesworth, Rachel (1998) The economic consequences of Alzheimer's disease in the context of new drug developments. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13 (8). pp. 531-543. ISSN 0885-6230. (doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199808)13:8<531::aid-gps815>3.0.co;2-m) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:26917)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199808)13:...

Abstract

The first national symptomatic treatment for Alzheimer's disease has received a very mixed and perhaps ageist reception from purchasers of health care in the UK. This is largely because detailed information on the long-term effects of this class of drugs is scarce. However, by looking at the published evidence on the economic burden of Alzheimer's disease, some observations and assumptions can be made as to the influence of the new drug treatments. The drug therapies available and those most likely to become licensed are reviewed and the potential economic impact is discussed. Long-term outcome studies would properly address this, but as these drugs have now demonstrated efficacy, particularly in non-cognitive behaviours, it will be ethically more difficult to maintain patients on placebo for long periods. Some assumptions therefore have to be made from long-term open-label studies. Those drugs currently available, and those in development, may offer effective treatment for some of the core symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, slowing the rate of cognitive decline and preserving competence in activities of daily living for longer. If handled correctly, these treatments have the potential to offer cost savings for many patients, and cost-effectiveness improvements look probable.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199808)13:8<531::aid-gps815>3.0.co;2-m
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Personal Social Services Research Unit
Depositing User: R. Bass
Date Deposited: 20 May 2011 14:51 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2023 11:32 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/26917 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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