Easier access to dementia drugs a welcome move - AMA
AMA Vice-President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, today welcomed the decision by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to relax the authority prescription requirements for a class of drugs used to treat patients in the early stages of dementia.
Dr Haikerwal said that cholinesterase inhibitors had been proven to be highly effective in the treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease, but that it was important to start treatment as soon as possible.
"To avoid unnecessary delays prescribers will now be able to seek telephone approval from the HIC for up to two months' initial therapy," Dr Haikerwal said.
"While the AMA will consider seeking further relaxation of the restrictions governing the use of these drugs in the future, the AMA applauds this recent decision. Effective therapy will be more readily available to people with dementia under the PBS, thereby enhancing their quality of life," Dr Haikerwal said.
Dementia is a chronic neurodegenerative condition where early treatment and management can make a big difference to a patient's quality of life.
"There is a clear need for national co-ordination to address the challenge of dementia.
"To this end, the AMA's Executive Council has called for dementia to be listed as a National Health Priority Area. The increasing prevalence of this disorder warrants a national health priority initiative of its own to better educate the public and the medical profession," Dr Haikerwal said.
The AMA will be working towards this initiative with Alzheimer's Australia, the National Aged Care Alliance, and other stakeholders.
The national CEO of Alzheimer's Australia, Mr Glenn Rees, has also welcomed these developments.
"Alzheimer's Australia looks forward to working on a coordinated dementia strategy with the AMA and other interested parties," said Mr Rees.
CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / 0408 824 306