An alliance backed by the Government has promised to cut back on the use of dangerous ‘chemical cosh’ drugs for dementia sufferers.

In an unprecedented move, a coalition of 45 public and private bodies and charities has pledged to transform the way patients are treated and drive down the use of anti-psychotic drugs.

Experts have argued that the ‘chemical cosh’, recommended for short-term use to calm down people who are agitated, has been widely over-prescribed for dementia sufferers in an attempt to keep them quiet, particularly in care homes.

Studies have shown patients who take the drugs over a long period are twice as likely to die early as those who do not. Approximately 144,000 sufferers are prescribed anti-psychotics in care homes, causing 1,800 deaths annually.

Research shows that people taking them are three times as likely to have a stroke and they are more likely to go into long-term decline.

Now, the newly-created Dementia Action Alliance has committed to drive down use of the drugs.

Supported by the Department of Health, the alliance includes the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Age UK, Nice, Bupa, the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, the Alzheimer’s Society and several major care home groups, among others.

The reduction in anti-psychotics is one of seven aims put forward by the alliance on behalf of patients and carers who are seeking more control over treatment and to be made to feel more valued.
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