Biotech Values

[ghmm]

Don't know if this was posted (though it is just an update of old news). Aside from the implications on biotech/pharma stocks, it is disappointing that governments really are valuing Human Life/QOL! Not to mention that some diseases may be slowed in early stages more easily then mid-late stages!

http://tinyurl.com/s9z7y

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) attacked the decision, saying it "disregards the basic humanity of a situation where patients who could benefit from a medicine are denied it" and would discourage further research.

"This decision makes it harder for companies to justify devoting the enormous sums of money and resource necessary to research and develop new medicines," Nigel Brooksby, president of the ABPI said.

MODERATE SEVERITY

The new guidance means that Aricept, from Pfizer Inc. (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Eisai Co Ltd (4523.T: Quote, NEWS, Research), along with Shire Plc's (SHP.L: Quote, Profile, Research) Reminyl and Novartis AG's (NOVN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research) Exelon will be prescribed only for patients with Alzheimer's disease of moderate severity.

Critics say the move deprives the majority of early-stage Alzheimer's disease sufferers of a treatment option that is widely available in other countries.

A fourth drug, Ebixa, made by Lundbeck (LUN.CO: Quote, Profile, Research), is given to patients with more serious disease, but NICE is not convinced of its benefits and said it should only be used in clinical trials.

Charities caring for Alzheimer's patients and some medical experts condemned NICE's refusal to budge.

"This is a terrible decision based on a deeply flawed process," Dr David Anderson of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said. "Implementation of this guidance will set the treatment of Alzheimer's disease back 10 years."

But others accepted that NICE had to strike a value-for-money balance.

"I agree with this decision by NICE. The problem with these drugs is that they have a very small effect in patients with dementia, which is of uncertain value," Professor Raymond MacAllister of University College London said.

The NICE deliberations have been watched by governments around the world, who increasingly have to weigh the benefits of modern medicines against their prices. The drugs cost around 1,000 pounds ($1,860) per patient a year.