Brief
Lord Cameron urges UK government to create a dedicated dementia drug fund
Cameron cites the cancer‑drug fund as a model while negotiations over donanemab and lecanemab stall.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Former prime minister David Cameron, serving as president of Alzheimer's Research UK, called for a dedicated dementia drug fund to ensure NHS patients can access new Alzheimer’s treatments, according to the Daily Mail.
What happened
Cameron said Britain now has medicines that can slow Alzheimer’s disease but patients are being denied access. He referenced the cancer‑drug fund he helped launch 16 years ago as a precedent. The two drugs in question – donanemab and lecanemab, produced by Eli Lilly and Eisai – were licensed in 2024 but remain unavailable on the NHS while negotiations over price and access continue. The talks, which began in July, were expected to finish within 49 days but have extended for months.
What the reports add
The article notes that both drugs cost about £80,000 per patient per year and could benefit up to 70,000 people in England if approved, but only in the earliest stages of the disease. Clinical trials showed roughly a 30 % slowdown in progression, equating to about six extra months before further decline.
What was said
"For decades we have waited for treatments that can slow Alzheimer's disease," Lord Cameron told the Sunday Times, as quoted by the Daily Mail. He added, "I urge the Government to show the same determination for people affected by dementia." Michelle Dyson, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said patients were “desperate” for the treatments to be approved. A NICE spokesman said the agency has paused its appraisal while NHS England and the manufacturers explore options.
How it came about
Cameron’s push follows his personal loss – his mother Mary Cameron died with Alzheimer’s in 2025 – and builds on his earlier health‑policy work, including the cancer‑drug fund that improved access to expensive oncology medicines. Earlier this month Felo News reported on Cameron’s 60th‑birthday celebrations, highlighting his continued public profile.
Key facts
- Lord Cameron called for a dedicated dementia drug fund (dailymail.co.uk)
- Donanemab and lecanemab cost about £80,000 per year per patient (dailymail.co.uk)
- Up to 70,000 people in England could be eligible if the drugs are approved (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “David Cameron proposes dedicated dementia drug fund”
