Marisol Touraine received today the report “What path for people with Alzheimer’s disease?“ in which Pr Michel Clanet, chairman of the monitoring committee for the 2014-2019 neurodegenerative disease plan, makes recommendations aimed at improving the care and support of patients with dementia. Alzheimer’s disease.
The measures taken today, some of which will be implemented as early as 2017, are inspired by this report.
Three annual “long” doctor’s visits
From November 1, 2017, general medicine consultations aimed at informing patients and defining a treatment for a neurodegenerative disease will be increased to 60 euros.
From the same date, general practitioners will be able to make up to three “long visits” annually to the homes of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease at a price of 70 euros. The duration of the consultation can thus be adapted to the needs of the person (evolution of their disease or associated pathologies, presence or absence of a carer to accompany them, etc.).
“These measures aim to better recognize the place of general practitioners in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, support and the care pathway for sick people”underlines the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in a press release.
Other support measures
• A training program dedicated to neurodegenerative diseases will be offered to healthcare professionals as part of continuing professional development (CPD). This program will be prepared in collaboration with the College of General Medicine of France (CMGF).
• 20 additional cognitive-behavioural units will be opened nationwide, half in 2017.
For the Minister, it is only after the implementation of these measures that the question of whether or not to maintain reimbursement of the drugs currently prescribed for the symptomatic treatment of the disease may arise.
Remember that in October 2016, the High Authority for Health (HAS) had announced the reimbursement of the four drugs most frequently prescribed for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, considering that the actual benefit was insufficient.
Minister Marisol Touraine then undertook not to reimburse these drugs as long as there was no care pathway guaranteeing appropriate care for the sick.
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