LONDON, January 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) today published its final appraisal determination containing final recommendations on the use of specific treatments for Alzheimer´s disease. the new ruling means Alzheimer´s patients will now have access to treatment from the earliest stage of the disease.[1]*

A survey conducted among general practitioners across the UK has suggested that the new recommendations will give Doctors[2] a strong reason to diagnose and treat this devastating disease early. it highlighted that nearly two thirds (64.1%) of GPs believe that their detection and diagnosis of mild Alzheimer´s disease patients will improve as a result of the NICE guidance. Until now diagnosing the condition early has been difficult for GPs, as the guidelines previously recommended treatment only for patients with moderate or severe Alzheimer´s disease. 70.2% of GPs surveyed believe that their management of Alzheimer´s disease will change as a result of the new guidance with over half (57.9%) of GPs stating that they would be likely to recall patients with mild Alzheimer´s previously denied treatment for reassessment. This should help more people with early disease get access to specialist care by being referred to a memory service for assessment. A total of 40.7% of doctors also thought that their prescribing of AChEIs would change as a result of the NICE recommendations.

“This is great news for people with Alzheimer´s disease and their families because we will now be able to offer effective drug treatment in mild, moderate and severe Alzheimer´s disease. for example, patients with mild disease will at last be able to get access to early, cost-effective treatment at the point of diagnosis – treatment that can potentially help to relieve the symptoms in these patients”, says Professor Roy Jones from the Research Institute for the Care of Older People (RICE), Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK. “Previously it was difficult to see patients with mild disease and ask them to come back when their condition worsened before we were able to prescribe drugs that could improve their symptoms. This new ruling will help keep patients as independent as possible for as long as possible.”

the new survey data also revealed that, unfortunately 29.6 % of GPs surveyed were unaware of the preliminary recommendations published by NICE on the use of AChEIs in patients with Alzheimer´s disease and 55.5% believe that there are inadequate protocols / materials in place to effectively help them diagnose people showing early signs of disease. In addition, the survey revealed that 86.7% of GPs believe that families and carers of patients with Alzheimer´s disease do not have adequate support to recognise and manage the early signs of the disease. it is vital that Alzheimer´s disease is diagnosed as early as possible, as having an early diagnosis, starting treatment and putting lifestyle modifications in place in the early stages of the disease can help individuals prepare for the future.[3] Greater awareness is needed amongst patients, carers and GPs of the early treatment options now available to them which could lead to better outcomes for the patient and carers.

*Additional information on the NICE guidance1

1.1 the three acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine) are recommended as options for managing mild to moderate Alzheimer´s disease under all of the conditions specified in 1.3 and 1.4.

1.2 Memantine is recommended as an option for managing Alzheimer´s disease for people with: moderate Alzheimer´s disease who are intolerant of or have a contraindication to AChE inhibitors or severe Alzheimer´s disease.

1.3 Treatment should be under the conditions specified in 1.3.

– Only specialists in the care of patients with dementia (that is, psychiatrists including those specialising in learning disability, neurologists, and physicians specialising in the care of older people) should initiate treatment. Carers´ views on the patient´s condition at baseline should be sought. – Treatment should be continued only when it is considered to be having a worthwhile effect on cognitive, global, functional or behavioural symptoms. – Patients who continue on treatment should be reviewed regularly using cognitive, global, functional and behavioural assessment. Treatment should be reviewed by an appropriate specialist team, unless there are locally agreed protocols for shared care. Carers´ views on the patient´s condition at follow-up should be sought.

1.4 if prescribing an AChE inhibitor (donepezil, galantamine or rivastigmine), treatment should normally be started with the drug with the lowest acquisition cost (taking into account required daily dose and the price per dose once shared care has started). however, an alternative AChE inhibitor could be prescribed if it is considered appropriate when taking into account adverse event profile, expectations about adherence, medical comorbidity, possibility of drug interactions and dosing profiles.

for the full guidance, please visit: guidance.nice.org.uk/

currently, there are around 820,000 people living with Alzheimer´s and other dementias in the UK, [4] including an estimated 575,000 sufferers in England and 37,000 in Wales.[5] Alzheimer´s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting 62% of dementia patients in the UK.[5] This irreversible, progressive brain disorder gradually destroys memory, reasoning and thinking skills, and may eventually leave patients unable to carry out even the simplest tasks.[6] Alzheimer´s disease has impacts in many ways including physical, mental, nursing, medical and social impacts.[1] despite its burden, Alzheimer´s remains a relatively overlooked disease. Just 2.5% of the government´s medical research budget is devoted to dementia; in contrast a quarter is allocated to cancer research.[7]

Eisai is one of the worlds leading research-based pharmaceutical companies that has defined its corporate mission as “giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides, ” which we call human health care (hhc).

Eisai concentrates its research activities in three key areas:

– Integrative Neuroscience, including: Alzheimer´s disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, epilepsy, depression – Integrative Oncology including: anticancer therapies; tumour regression, tumour suppression, antibodies, etc and supportive cancer therapies; pain relief, nausea – Vascular/Immunological reaction including: acute coronary syndrome, atherothrombotic disease, sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn´s disease

With operations in the U.S., Asia, Europe and its domestic home market of Japan, we employ more than 11,000 people worldwide.

About Pfizer: Working Together for a Healthier World(TM)

at Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world´s best-known consumer products. every day, Pfizer colleagues work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world´s leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. for more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us.

In the UK, Pfizer has its European R&D headquarters at Sandwich and its UK business headquarters in Surrey, and is the major supplier of medicines to the NHS. To learn more about our commitments, please visit us at pfizer.co.uk.

[1] National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Final Appraisal Determination – Donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer´s disease (review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 111)

[2] Opinion Health survey data. Total sample size was 200 GPs in the UK. Online internet-based survey fieldwork undertaken between 13th – 16th December 2010. Eisai Europe and Pfizer Ltd. Data on File

[3] Doraiswamy PM, Steffens DC, Pitchumoni S, Tabrizi S. Early Recognition of Alzheimer´s disease: what is consensual? what is controversial? what is practical? J Clin Psychiatry. 1998;59 (suppl. 13):6-18.

[4] Alzheimer´s Research Trust -Dementia 2010. Available at: dementia2010.org/reports/Dementia2010Full.pdf. Last accessed Jan 2011

[5] Alzheimer Society. Available at: alzheimers.org.uk Last accessed Jan 2011

[6] National Institute on Aging (NIA). Alzheimer´s Disease Factsheet. NIH Publication no 08-6423. Reprinted February 2010

[7] Alzheimer´s Research Trust. Available at: alzheimers-research.org.uk/info/statistics/ Last accessed Jan 2011

Eisai Europe Limited and Pfizer Limited

A NEW South East Asian survey of 506 people with fibromyalgia and 941 physicians shows that fibromyalgia is a poorly understood condition, which negatively impacts people's quality of life. Lengthy diagnosis times is a particular issue for sufferers. Patients wait 3.3 to 15.4 months and have an average of two physician visits before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

The survey also reveals people with fibromyalgia experience serious financial consequences from the condition, including an inability to work. As such, the impact on their quality of life is immeasurable.

The Pfizer-underwritten Fibromyalgia Pain Management Alliance (FPMA) collated these findings in the SE Asia FACTS (South East Asia Fibromyalgia Awareness, Concerns and Trends Survey) report, which includes a focus on the impact of fibromyalgia on the lives of Malaysian patients.

The survey includes data from 941 physicians and 506 patients from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Data were collected from June through August 2009, with all interviews conducted face to face in English or in the local language.

To qualify, patients had to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a physician. Participating physicians, including general practitioners (GPs), rheumatologists, neurologists, pain specialists and psychiatrists, were randomly sampled and invited to participate in the survey.

In Malaysia, 102 fibromyalgia patients and 200 healthcare practitioners comprising of GPs and specialists participated in this first ever survey of its kind.

"Fibromyalgia is a debilitating and chronic pain condition that affects 2% to 5% of people, occurring more often in young to middle-aged females. It is characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness, with fatigue and sleep disturbances being some of the more common symptoms experienced," explained Prof Ramani Vijayan, president of the Malaysian Association for the Study of Pain, who was speaking at the press conference organised by Pfizer to announce the results of the SEAFACT Survey.

"People with fibromyalgia suffer significant disability and reduced quality of life. The SE Asia FACTS sheds much needed light on this highly misunderstood illness, as the data gathered will help GPs and specialists alike to better diagnose and manage fibromyalgia," she said.

Fibromyalgia is a common and widespread pain condition, affecting approximately 40 million people worldwide. Updated scientific data support the concept of "neuronal hyper-excitability of both pain processing and emotional areas in the brain". This explains why fibromyalgia patients are more sensitive to pain, why their pain is more severe than in other people, why pain distribution is widespread, and why patients have a very poor response to stress.

According to the survey results, at least one in five Malaysian patients reported that the overall quality of their life and ability to participate in hobbies have been very strongly or strongly impacted by fibromyalgia. Four in 10 patients (38%) admit that fibromyalgia has caused the quality of their work to deteriorate.

"The majority of GPs and specialists in Malaysia who treat fibromyalgia patients recognise that it has a strong impact on the overall quality of patients' lives," shared Dr Mary Cardosa, consultant anaesthesiologist at Selayang Hospital.

"however, three quarters of GPs and almost all specialists surveyed agree that fibromyalgia is not well understood among many physicians. Education, training, and support for physicians is key to enabling them to help manage patients with the condition" she emphasised.

The treatment and management of fibromyalgia involves a multi-faceted approach, which includes exercise, behavioural management, and approved medication. Pregabalin was the first drug approved by the US FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia and is effective in reducing symptoms of pain, disturbed sleep, and fatigue.

The efficacy and safety of the drug has been studied in more than 10,000 patients in clinical trials, and has provided rapid and sustained improvements in pain for patients (ref: Lyseng-Williamson &. Siddiqui: Pregabalin: A Review of its use in Fibromyalgia).

"We hope that this survey has managed to show that chronic pain in fibromyalgia is an unfamiliar topic not just to patients but to the healthcare providers who treat them. It is clear that Malaysian GPs and specialists do need more experience and training in managing patients with fibromyalgia. With proper treatment and education, we believe that fibromyalgia patients will be able to enjoy a better quality of life," said Dr Vicknesh Wellupillai, Pfizer's medical director.

Even with good therapeutic compliance, patients should be taught self-management of fibromyalgia. Patient self-management leads to a meaningful improvement in symptoms and daily function. Patients should be advised to, learn about the illness and physicians should provide educational materials and inform patients about reliable sources of patient information about the condition.