Health · Healthcare & Policy · 11 hrs ago
Cameron calls for a dedicated fund for Alzheimer’s drugs
Former UK prime minister David Cameron is calling for a dedicated fund to help people with dementia get access to medicines.
Cameron, now president of Alzheimer's Research UK, says patients should benefit from progress in treatment.
Two drugs, donanemab and lecanemab, can slow Alzheimer’s progression rather than only manage symptoms.
Trials found they slowed the disease by about 30 per cent, giving patients around six extra months before further deterioration.
NHS access talks have stalled over cost and access, despite negotiations starting in July.
If approved for the NHS, around 70,000 people in England could be eligible, but treatment is limited to the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s.
NICE has paused its appraisal while NHS England and the drug companies seek a deal that would give patients access and offer value for taxpayers.
David Cameron has called for a dedicated fund to help people with Alzheimer’s access drugs that can slow the disease’s progression.
The former prime minister, who is president of Alzheimer's Research UK, said patients are being denied the chance to benefit from new treatments.
The drugs donanemab and lecanemab are licensed in Britain but are available privately at a cost of around £80,000 per year.
NHS England and NICE remain in talks with the manufacturers about possible NHS access, amid reported disagreements over cost and access.
If approved for NHS use, around 70,000 people in England could be eligible, but the drugs can only be given in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s.
- Who
- David Cameron, president of Alzheimer's Research UK, and people with Alzheimer’s who may benefit from the drugs.
- What
- Cameron called for a dedicated dementia drugs fund to help patients access Alzheimer’s treatments.
- When
- 18 October 2026.
- Where
- Britain; around 70,000 people in England could be eligible if the drugs are approved for NHS use.
- Why
- Cameron said patients should have the opportunity to benefit from medicines that can slow Alzheimer’s progression.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Donanemab and lecanemab were licensed for use in Britain.
Negotiations between NHS bosses, NICE and the manufacturers began.
Cameron called for a dedicated dementia drugs fund.
- Proposed fund
- Dedicated fund for dementia drugs
- Drugs under discussion
- Donanemab and lecanemab
- Private cost
- Around £80,000 per year
- Trial result
- Progression slowed by about 30 per cent
- Potential NHS eligibility
- Around 70,000 people in England
What people are saying
For decades we have waited for treatments that can slow Alzheimer's disease
The challenge now is making sure patients have the opportunity to benefit from that progress.
I urge the Government to show the same determination for people affected by dementia.
NICE has paused its appraisal while NHS England and the company explore all reasonable opportunities to secure a positive outcome for patients and the NHS.