Hope is rekindling for dementia patients seeking access to two groundbreaking drugs on the NHS, as a spending watchdog has been instructed to reconsider its previous prohibition.

Donanemab and lecanemab, two drugs proven to slow the transition from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s by up to six months, were authorized for use in the UK in 2024. Despite their potential, the NHS did not initially offer these treatments due to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) concluding that their benefits were insufficient to justify the expense.

An independent panel has now directed NICE to reassess its draft guidance following objections from pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Eisai, the producers of donanemab and lecanemab, respectively.

The upcoming review will address several issues, including the drugs’ impact on the quality of life for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. Additionally, it will consider evidence from NHS England regarding the financial implications of administering these treatments via infusion.

Both companies contended that a critical document detailing infusion costs was submitted a mere four days before a pivotal committee meeting, allowing inadequate time for thorough examination.

The companies claimed the document on infusion costs was only provided four days before a crunch committee meeting, leaving insufficient time for proper scrutiny.

According to Lilly, Nice will also revisit evidence relating to unpaid carer costs and the long-term data on donanemab, which shows additional benefits beyond that seen in early trials.

The drugs represent a major leap forward in the treatment of the disease as they target the underlying cause rather than the symptoms.

Dementia patients have been given fresh hope of accessing two blockbuster drugs on the NHS after the spending watchdog was ordered to review its previous ban

Donanemab and lecanemab are targeted antibody drugs that bind to amyloid, a protein which builds up in the brains of people living with Alzheimer’s.

This helps clear the build-up and slows down cognitive decline.

NICE published its final draft guidance on donanemab and lecanemab in June last year.

It concluded the treatments do delay progression of disease but were not good value for taxpayers as they ‘only provide modest benefits at best’.

The treatments were estimated to cost five to six times more than the threshold NICE can normally recommend.

They remain available privately for £60,000 to £80,000 a year.

The ruling comes as the Daily Mail and Alzheimer’s Society have partnered in a drive to beat dementia, which claims 76,000 lives each year and is the UK’s biggest killer.

The Defeating Dementia campaign aims to raise awareness of the disease, in an effort to increase early diagnosis, boost research and improve care.

Reacting to the outcome of the appeal, Chris Stokes, general manager of the northern European hub at Lilly, said: ‘This is a big moment in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease.

‘Nice was right to look again at the evidence in front of them and it’s welcome that our appeal has been upheld.

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‘For people living with Alzheimer’s disease, and for the families and carers who support them, this matters, perhaps now more than ever.’

An Eisai spokesperson added: ‘This news offers a welcome glimmer of hope for the Alzheimer’s disease community in England.

‘We are keen to work quickly with Nice to assess this treatment effectively, because while we wait, Alzheimer’s disease does not.’

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: ‘The independent appeal panel has ruled that some elements the committee used to inform its decision-making in relation to the cost effectiveness of donanemab and lecanemab need further consideration.

‘So today we have announced we will give stakeholders an opportunity to provide more information for the committee to help it address the areas of continuing uncertainty highlighted by the appeal panel.

‘Throughout our assessment of donanemab and lecanemab we have done everything we possibly can to try and achieve a positive outcome, including providing an additional opportunity for evidence to be submitted.

‘Today’s decision underlines our commitment to continuing that process.’

A public consultation on the guidance is expected to reopen next week and NICE appraisers will meet in June to consider responses.

Michelle Dyson, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘We welcome NICE’s decision to look again at the case for lecanemab and donanemab, particularly at the significant impact of dementia on unpaid carers.

‘We know that carers are too often pushed to breaking point and this needs to be properly recognised.

‘People living with dementia are desperate for new treatments that delay the progression of symptoms and help them stay independent for longer.

‘The science is moving fast and globally more people are starting to access these drugs, but the UK is falling behind.

‘With over 30 Alzheimer’s disease drugs in late-stage clinical trials, there are likely to be more treatments submitted for approval soon.’