RESTRICTIONS on the availability of anti-dementia drugs on the NHS are to be reviewed after a landmark court ruling.

It means the English drugs watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) will be forced to reveal how it calculates the costeffectiveness of new drugs.

The move revives hopes that patients with Alzheimer's disease may soon be able to be get powerful new anti-dementia drugs on the NHS at an early stage.

Last year, Nice ruled that the drugs, including Aricept and Exelon, could only be given when the patient's condition had deteriorated Three judges in the Court of Appeal found that the process by which Nice decided to restrict medicines for newly-diagnosed patients with mild Alzheimer's was unfair.

Eisai, licence holder of the drug Aricept, and Pfizer, which jointly challenged the health watchdog's decision, said the ruling brought renewed hope for Alzheimer's patients.

Cancer specialist Professor Nick Thatcher, from Christies cancer hospital, in Manchester, said the judgement could be used to challenge Nice on its rulings on the cost-effectiveness of new cancer drugs, including Tarceva.

He said: "Many cancer specialists do not understand how Nice Don't Stop Dementia Drugs A NORTHERN ECHO CAMPAIGN thernecho.co.uk/news/campaigns/ By Barry Nelson Health Editor barry.nelson@nne.co.uk NEW HOPE: Ken Clasper, with his wife, Janice, at home in Chester-le-Street New deputy moved up through the ranks A POLICEMAN who began his career on the beat on the seafront at Blackpool is the new Assistant Chief Constable of Durham Police.

Chief Superintendant Michael Barton, who has spent his career with the Lancashire force, is to become the fourth member of Durham's executive team, to replace Michael Banks.

He will play a key role in operational and territorial policing and will be responsible for the operations division, CID and communications.

Police authority chairman Peter Thompson said the recruitment process had been competitive and the interview panel was unanimous in offering him the post. He said: "He will be a great addition to Durham, bringing with him invaluable knowledge and experience from Lancashire Police."

Chief Supt Barton said: " I am thrilled to be appointed to the post and will continue the excellent work of Michael Banks to create a citizen-focused service, ensuring every neighbourhood has a recognised policing presence.

"I believe that problem-solving in policing is at the heart of everything we do for the citizens and I will continue to provide a high-quality service that is value for money for the citizens of County Durham and Darlington."

Chief Constable Jon Stoddart said: "Michael is a very experienced officer who will be a strong addition to the executive team. We are all looking forward to working alongside him."

Chief Supt Barton completed a law degree at Newcastle University.

He began his career patrolling the promenade in Blackpool and has since moved through all ranks in uniform and CID. During his 28 years at Lancashire Constabulary, he has been head of CID, and of corporate development and has been divisional commander in Preston for the past three years.

NEW ARRIVAL: Michael Barton makes decisions about cost-effectiveness.

This could help to open things up."

The judges said procedural fairness demanded that Nice give full details of the cost-effectiveness model it used to produce guidance. Nice's ruling on the drugs led to protests from the Alzheimer's Society, which had campaigned for NHS doctors to prescribe the drugs at an early stage. The Alzheimer's Society was backed by The Northern Echo, which launched the Don't Stop Dementia Drugs campaign.

It resulted in more than 3,000 letters being sent to the Department of Health.

Alzheimer's sufferer Ken Clasper, 60, from Chester-le- Street, said: "I am thrilled to bits about this. I just hope it means that more people get access to the drugs they need. Excelon had a fantastic effect on me. I was able to lead a more normal life and I am planning to go on a coast-to-coast bike ride."