THE second new drug claimed to slow the advance of Alzheimer's Disease was launched in Britain yesterday, writes Alan MacDermid, Medical Correspondent.
The drug, Exelon, produced promising results from the biggest trial ever undertaken into a drug therapy for the disease.
More than 3300 people worldwide took part in clinical tests of the drug, indicating that it could delay symptom progression for six months.
The drug was found to improve both patients' memory and reasoning ability. The ability to think was effectively maintained, and in some cases improved in people with a mild to moderately severe illness.
Exelon, made by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, is the brand name for rivastigmine.
Like the first such drug on the market, Aricept, it stops the breakdown of a neurotransmitter.
However, NHS approval for Aricept is patchy, because of doubts over its cost-effectiveness. There are fears that the same will apply to Exelon.
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