PATIENTS, campaigners and doctors reacted with anger today as guidance on the use of Alzheimer's disease drugs within the NHS was delayed.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) provoked uproar in March when it published draft guidance stating drug treatments for Alzheimer's were not cost effective enough to be available on the NHS.

The organisation received an unprecedented response, calling for a rethink of its conclusions.

Nice said today the final draft of its review of the drugs donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine would be delayed to await more evidence from manufacturers.

Campaigners say the drugs - which cost just £2.50 per patient per day - helped buy valuable months of improved life for Alzheimer's sufferers.