David Batty and agencies
guardian.co.uk,
Thursday June 19, 2008
The government today ordered an immediate review into the use of antipsychotic drugs to calm the behaviour of people with dementia.
The drugs, also known as neuroleptics, have been labelled a "chemical cosh" by dementia charities and older people's campaigners, and some have severe side-effects, which include strokes and even death.
The review will be completed before the publication of the first national dementia strategy in October.
The practice of prescribing the drugs, such as risperidone, is widespread in nursing homes with around 60% of patients receiving them. But clinical evidence suggests they do more harm than good, and are prescribed more to contain behaviour rather than treat a condition.
There are an estimated 570,000 people with dementia in England - 700,000 in the whole of the UK - and the government expects that to more than double to 1.4 million in the next 30 years.
The strategy, announced by the health minister, Ivan Lewis, is intended to improve dementia care across England.
A study funded by the Alzheimer's Research Trust and published in the Public Library of Science Medicine in April found that long-term use of antipsychotic drugs led to significant deterioration in the thinking and speech of dementia patients. For most, the drugs had no long-term benefit at all.
Other campaigners welcomed the announcement of the dementia strategy, but warned it needed significant extra investment.
Abridged
SOURCE: TheGuardianUK
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