Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11501

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Hunt N.
Alzheimer's Society replies to Iain Chalmers
BMJ 2007 Sep 15; 335:(7619):541
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/335/7619/541-a?etoc

Abstract:

The question of who should have access to Alzheimer’s drugs has sparked a heated debate on the way the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) decides whether treatments are cost effective. Sir Iain Chalmers attacked the Alzheimer’s Society (BMJ 2007;335:400 doi: 10.1136/bmj.39309.704016.BD) for our legal challenge against the NICE guidance on Alzheimer’s drugs. He alleges that we formed an alliance with pharmaceutical companies to the detriment of people affected by dementia and challenges us to be transparent about our commercial relationships.

I wonder why supposedly informed commentators cannot conceive that our actions might be genuinely informed by the views of our members. Earlier this year, I met with NICE chairman Sir Michael Rawlins to challenge his apparent view that commercial interests were driving the campaigning agenda of the society. Now another associate of NICE repeats these tired allegations. We are an independent organisation. Funding is a . . .

nhunt@alzheimers.org.uk