Alzheimer's Drug Therapy Initiative

Providing eligible B.C. residents with PharmaCare coverage of cholinesterase inhibitors used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and gathering evidence on the effectiveness of these medications.

This initiative is the result of collaboration between the Alzheimer Society of B.C., the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria’s Centre on Aging, drug manufacturers, clinical experts, researchers and practising clinicians.

Introduction

The Alzheimer’s Drug Therapy Initiative is a 4-phase project to address a clinical knowledge gap in the use of cholinesterase inhibitors in individuals in the mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The initial phase was the Alzheimer’s Forum held in July 2006, followed by a second planning phase. We are now in the third phase, studying the effectiveness of these medications. The fourth phase will be the evaluation of the data gathered through the associated studies.

Background

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than 40,000 British Columbians.

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging - it is a progressive degenerative disease for which there is no know cause or cure. Brain cells shrink and are replaced by dense, irregularly-shaped spots called plaques. Threadlike tangles also develop within healthy brain cells, and eventually destroy them.

A group of drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors has been developed that appears to slow the progression of this disease. There is growing evidence that these medications may improve or stabilize the cognitive, functional and behavioural abilities of some patients in the mild to moderate stages of the disease.

Additional evidence is needed to determine who could benefit from treatment with these medications and what impact that may have on both patients and caregivers. This information will help in developing future government policy on how best to care for individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Over 25,000 British Columbians have mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. This initiative is working to provide the additional clinical evidence needed to support the funding of cholinesterase inhibitors for individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

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