A popular drug to treat Alzheimer's will not be available to new Medicaid patients as of July 1.

Aricept, which slows the breakdown of a brain chemical that is necessary in memory and other mental processes, will still be available to patients who are already taking the drug. This does not affect patients on Medicare.

Nick Zullo, program director for the Utah chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, said the concern is that physicians will not be able to treat patients in the best possible way. He also said Utah is the only state to make this decision and doesn't feel it is in the best interest of Alzheimer's patients and caregivers.

The Utah Legislature passed a preferred drug list two years ago that limits what the state will pay for, and a committee later decided Aricept wasn't necessary.

It will be replaced with two drugs, Namenda and Exelon, that have the same effect but will cost the state less.

Hudachko said if a clinician feels that a specific medication not on the list is necessary, the state health department will consider it; each appeal is decided on a case-by-case basis.