Edinburgh based alzheimer’s research provokes government response

Doctors have inappropriately prescribed anti-psychotic drugs to as many as 150,000 sufferers of dementia in the UK, according to a government-backed review.

The evidence follows recent research by The Alzheimer’s Trust, conducted in care homes throughout Edinburgh, Oxford, Newcastle and Gateshead, which found that these drugs can double the risk of death.

Tim Parry, Alzheimer’s Research Trust’s senior press officer, told The Journal: “Patients who are on the antipsychotic drugs for extended periods of time become ‘zombie-like’, are more susceptible to infection, may suffer from incontinence and are at a higher risk of having strokes.”

The recent review found that 1800 people died as a result of being wrongly prescribed drugs.

Phil Hope, the care services minister, responded: “It is unacceptable that antipsychotic drugs are routinely prescribed to people with dementia. More than half of people with dementia will experience agitation or aggression at some point, but National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance is clear – antipsychotics should only be given when this is really necessary.

“Tackling the root of the problem is vital, which is why we are improving access to psychological therapies. We are also working with the Royal Colleges to ensure all health and social care professionals are able to care for people with dementia without routinely resorting to these drugs.”

Mr Hope has announced an action plan, which includes a pledge to cut the use of antipsychotic drugs by two thirds over three years.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, is pleased with the government’s response but feels that it should have come sooner.

“Evidence of the dangers of antipsychotics has been available for some time, so though welcome, it’s a shame the report arrives so heavily delayed when many people have died prematurely from taking these drugs,” Ms Wood said.

The drugs currently used to treat dementia are not specifically made for that purpose and should only be used for six to twelve weeks.

They will show short-term improvements but after the recommended time the treatments become less effective and the dangers of taking the drugs start to outweigh the benefits.

Ms Wood remains optimistic that the plan could prevent further unnecessary deaths and feels that at last progress is being made.

She said: “The report reveals that the government has grasped that research is key to solving the antipsychotic problem.

“We urgently need funds to develop better treatments for Alzheimer’s research that are fit for purpose.”