CARERS of Alzheimer's sufferers in Winchester are reeling from the news that the three drugs that help patients could be withdrawn from the NHS.

They are angry that the recommendation has been based on cost and want all carers to protest about the decision by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, (NICE) by next Tuesday, March 22.

Hampshire MPs are also backing them. Sandra Gidley, Romsey Lib-Dem MP, has accused the Institute of "institutionalised ageism."

Alan Fowler, Alzheimer's Society chairman in Winchester, said it was an extraordinary decision following 30 trials involving 10,000 people.

NICE concluded that the drugs (Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl) were beneficial.

"The recommendation to withdraw is not because the drugs are ineffective," he said.

"It is the result of a badly-flawed formula for assessing cost-effectiveness. NICE is saying the financial value of the benefits is not enough to outweigh the modest £2.50 per day costs.

"But the formula places no monetary value whatsoever on the very real benefits to patients and carers of the stabilising effect of the drugs and improvement they can bring to quality of life."

Rachel Bebb, of Broughton, near Stockbridge, said: "My life has been affected by dementia and I am stunned at the draft guidance.

"The simple fact is that NICE just don't think people with Alzheimer's Disease are worth spending money on.

"Our long-term care needs are already ignored by the NHS. Is it now going to deny us the only drug treatment proven to work?"

Sue Knight, Winchester Society carers' contact, said: "We have been devastated by this news.

"If it goes ahead, the NHS will save £2.50 per patient per day but the cost to the family of having to put their relative into residential care earlier than necessary is appalling, both in terms of mental anguish and financially -- anything from £70 to £100-plus per day."

Winchester MP and Lib-Dem Home Affairs spokesman, Mark Oaten, said he was concerned about the recommendations and had received over 50 letters from constituents.

"I have written to the Health Minister, John Reid, asking that this decision be reconsidered," he said.

Sandra Gidley, the only registered pharmacist in the House of Commons, said: "The NICE recommendation is alarming. For a number of my constituents and their carers the drugs are a lifeline and have been a real benefit."

Southampton Labour Itchen MP, John Denham, said the guidance was in draft stage and urged anyone opposed to the proposal to write directly to NICE.

He had raised the matter with the Health Minister and with NICE and had stressed the need for the drugs to remain available until there had been full consultation.

NICE can be contacted at Midcity Place, 71, High Holborn, London WC1V 6NA.