A HIGH Court decision on the future of NHS funding for Alzheimers drugs does not go far enough, campaigners said today.

Mrs Justice Dobbs, sitting in London, ordered that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice), which is responsible for providing national guidance on treatments available on the NHS, amend its discriminatory guidance in relation to three drugs.

She said the tests used to assess Alzheimers were discriminatory in people with learning difficulties or those who have English as a second language.

But the ruling does not mean that thousands of people in the early stages of dementia will now get access to the drugs - proving a huge disappointment for campaigners.

Earlier this summer drugs company Eisai mounted the first ever judicial review of Nice (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guidance on new drugs.

The company was supported by fellow drugs firm Pfizer and Shire and the Alzheimers Society.

Eisai challenged guidance which effectively limits the three drugs Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl to patients whose dementia has progressed to the mid-stage of the disease.

Campaigners - backed by The Northern Echo - want the NHS to be able to give the drug to patients at an early stage.

Full story and regional reaction in tomorrow's Northern Echo