Alzheimer’s Disease: Diagnosis and Access to Experimental Drugs

Lord Weir of Ballyholme Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is absolutely right and, if we stay as we are, the projected figures moving forward to 2040 are, frankly, terrifying. I recognise what she is saying. Do not forget that grandchildren spend so much time with their grandparents and often are the first to notice changing behaviour. I think that picks up on the point made by the noble Baroness, Lady Pitkeathley, about an awareness campaign so that when people pick up on the symptoms, they know where to go to get support. Early prevention and intervention have to be the key.

[Lord Weir of Ballyholme (DUP)]

My Lords, early intervention can clearly be critical, but one of the barriers to early access, particularly to new drugs, is the current modelling of NICE. I think there is a level of criticism of its cost-benefit analysis in that sometimes it does not take sufficient cognisance of the health and economic impact, not simply on the person suffering from dementia but on the family and the carers, many of whom, for instance, are missing from work for long periods to care for their relatives. Will the Government commit to looking at that modelling to try to make sure that in the future the cost-benefit analysis is fit for purpose?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The noble Lord is right: there has been a real increase in awareness of the cost to the economy and the personal cost to those who become carers. I would like to reassure him that the focus on research from this Government is intense, but we must make sure that the drugs that are brought forward have the claimed impact. I know noble Lords will be aware of the current appeal into two drugs that are deemed to be possible. It would be completely inappropriate for me to comment, as the appeal is going forward. Those cases will be heard on 8 July, and we look forward with interest to the outcome.