The Benefit of Alzheimer Drugs

The Benefit of Alzheimer Drugs

Galantamine, a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, may delay the need for full time care.

Alzheimer’s disease is very costly because patients nearly always need to be cared for round the clock, either at home – with help – or in a nursing home. We already know that galantamine, an Alzheimer’s drug recently approved in the US and in Europe, can improve learning, memory and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.

Now it seems that the new medication may also put off the time when the patient will become dependent on others.

Researchers in Massachusetts, US, have used a health economics model to compare the impact of galantamine, compared to no treatment, on the need for full time care over a ten year period. They assumed the drug would be taken until the patient became totally dependent. Their study shows that treating four patients with the drug avoids one full year of full time care – with all the attendant cost savings.

What’s more, each individual will spend less time – around 14 per cent less – needing full time care, which will have a very positive impact on their overall quality of life. Drugs are expensive, of course, but galantamine would only account for about six per cent of the total care cost for an Alzheimer’s patient the researchers conclude. Its use could result in overall savings of about $3,000 per patient.