HOSPITAL specialists in East Lancashire have expressed severe doubts about the usefulness of a new drug to treat Alzheimer's Disease, it was revealed today.

Doctor Stephen Morton, Director of Public Health in East Lancashire said there were reservations among local clinicians as to whether Donepezil was a major breakthrough or not.

The drug was licensed last month in the UK but is already widely used in the USA. It will cost £1,200 a year to prescribe to a single patient but campaigners believe it will enhance the quality of life for those with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease.

But Doctor Morton said: "There are major doubts among local clinicians as to whether the effect of the drug will be of importance. "We have no idea of the long term effects. People could end up worse than they started."

Elizabeth Howarth, a Health Authority member, said Alzheimer's Disease sufferers would try anything to relieve their condition.

The Health Authority is currently writing to every GP urging them to hold off prescribing Donepezil.

It is taking advice from GPs and consultants in Blackburn and Burnley to decide on the best way of introducing the drug.

About 1,500 patients in East Lancashire suffer from mild to moderate Alzheimer's.

Donepezil, which is also known as Aricept, is the first drug to treat Alzheimer's Disease to receive a licence in the UK, though not a cure.

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