To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the likely effect on costs to (a) local authority social services and (b) the NHS of caring for patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s proposal to restrict treatment for such patients. (86973)

No such estimate has been made. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraisal of these drugs has not yet concluded. Until NICE issues revised guidance to the national health service, its original guidance issued in 2001 continues to apply.