Neurologists dispute the decline in reimbursement of Botox in muscle hypertonia. About 45,000 patients would be affected.
Botox isn’t just for cosmetic purposes. It is also used in neurology for the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. But since the 1er June 2017, its reimbursement base was greatly reduced, which jeopardizes its use, according to French neurologists.
In a letter to the Minister of Health in mid-June, the National Union of Neurologists raises the problem, hoping that this drop will be reconsidered as quickly as possible.
The reimbursement base has gone from 300 euros to 180 euros for public hospitals, and to 175 euros for the private sector. However, the price of the product alone, before adding the act of the doctor, will exceed this base, explains to Why actor Dr Alain Jager, president of the National Union of Neurologists. “The situation is untenable for hospitals. Many establishments want to withdraw so as not to work at a loss, ”he adds.
This specialist fears that hospitals withdraw the act of their services. However, the active principle of Botox, botulinum toxin, is an extremely toxic product – one of the most powerful neurotoxic poisons known to date – whose use is restricted to secure environments. It is subject to a strict declaration and regulation, which means that the acts of injection are limited to hospital premises.
Regain autonomy
Neurologists use Botox to treat muscle hypertonia (spasms), caused by sequelae of paralysis or stroke, or by trauma to the spinal cord. The technique allows some patients to regain their independence, and sometimes even to walk again.
In the same way that it paralyzes the muscles of the forehead to limit wrinkles in cosmetic use, it relieves muscles that are overworking, thanks to injections renewed every 120 to 180 days.
Waiting for news
According to Dr Jager, the number of affected patients is around 45,000. “Only half of them are currently receiving treatment, which is already too little,” he laments. With this decrease in reimbursement, the situation will become very delicate for patients, especially since there is no therapeutic alternative. Neither medicinal nor surgical. “
.
