Key organizations and experts from the scientific, health and social fields presented this Thursday at the Ministry of Health the report “Proposals for a new prioritization of Alzheimer's in Spain” , prepared within the framework of the Alzheimer's and Dementia Observatory , an initiative that we promote.
The document proposes preparing the National Health System to include new treatments that modify the course of Alzheimer's disease, to promote research into it with greater funding and to incorporate dementia into the new care model. In addition, the report advocates improving early diagnosis through cognitive screening and biomarkers, as well as promoting prevention by focusing on modifiable risk factors.
The report also highlights the urgent need to establish a regulatory framework for a comprehensive approach to Alzheimer's and other dementias, accompanied by adequate funding and a firm institutional commitment.
The Minister of Health, Monica Garcia, opened the event by highlighting that “Alzheimer's is a challenge, a silent epidemic with a great social and social-health impact for people who suffer from it and their families. That is why I am grateful for the impetus that organizations like yours bring us today, without them it is impossible to make policies that improve people's lives.” In addition, he reaffirmed his commitment “to improving the prevention of the disease. This does not bring votes or headlines, because it is long-term, but it is where we have to invest and we are committed to it.”.
For its part, Dr. Arcadi Navarro, director of the Foundation, has highlighted that “In the face of the great scientific, health and social challenge posed by these pathologies, it is necessary to open a new stage in our country to address their prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. The World Health Organization has declared dementia a public health priority and urges states to have policies, strategies, plans or national frameworks to address it. But Spain has made slow progress in implementing a specific national plan.”.
He Dr. Navarro He also referred in his speech to the recent approval by the EMA (European Medicines Agency) to market the first drug capable of slowing the progress of Alzheimer's disease in its early stages: “It is crucial to speed up the process of inclusion of lecanemab in Spain. This treatment can make a big difference for many patients in the early stages, improving the quality of life of those affected and those who care for them.”.
In this regard, during the round table held with key experts, the Dr. Pascual Sánchez Juan, representative of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), has highlighted that “The application of these drugs is a challenge, it forces us to make medicine much more complex, taking into account biomarkers, genetic data and calibrating the patient's clinical picture. Therefore, the fear that this generates is that there may be differences between regions, discrimination by postal code, since not all have the technology or the experience to adapt to the paradigm shift that the implementation of these first drugs entails.”.
For its part, and from a social perspective and focus on people suffering from Alzheimer's and their families, Mariló Almagro, president of the Spanish Alzheimer's Confederation (CEAFA), has highlighted that: “We must not only take into account the person diagnosed, but also the caregivers. We must create policies adapted to them, who are mostly women, and train professionals in the social and health system, so that they can treat each case of Alzheimer's individually.”.
At the closing, Maria Rosa Martinez Rodriguez, Secretary of State for Social Rights, has stated that “We need a new model of care that includes people with dementia, that promotes social change and is aligned with human rights. This model must put the person at the centre and include the development of community services that allow for care at home, transform residential centres with active participation of families and make changes to the law on dependency.”.
He Document “Proposals for a new prioritization of Alzheimer’s in Spain” is the result of a process of analysis and debate in which representatives of more than 30 organisations and leading experts from the scientific, health and social fields have participated. Last July we met to rethink priorities and strategies, promoting greater visibility and a multidisciplinary approach in the public agenda.
According to the conclusions, the urgency of prioritising Alzheimer's and dementia in Spain lies in their growing health, social and economic impact. In the face of this challenge, the need to reactivate the political and institutional commitment aimed at implementing a new action plan that will allow for the construction of a new prioritisation of Alzheimer's and dementia in Spain is underlined.
Download the document “Proposals for a new prioritization of Alzheimer's in Spain” here.
