Viviane Schaller and Bernard Christophe, convicted in 2014 in cases related to Lyme disease, are retried by the Colmar Court of Appeal.
Lyme disease is an infectious disease that is widely talked about today, pitting those who denounce the underdiagnosis and neglect of the disease against those who are worried, on the contrary, of a potential overdiagnosis. A situation which is explained in particular by the complexity of the clinical picture of the disease, and the non-specificity of certain symptoms (headache, joint pain, etc.).
In addition to these basic disagreements on the disease, other facts defy the chronicle. On Friday October 7, 2016, the appeal trial of two personalities closely linked to Lyme disease began: Viviane Schaller and Bernard Christophe. The first is a doctor of pharmacy and former manager of a biological analysis laboratory in Strasbourg, the second is a pharmacist. For the time being, the Colmar Court of Appeal “required confirmation of the sentence imposed at first instance,” said France 3 Alsace with AFP. The accused therefore still face 9 months suspended prison sentence. The Court will deliver its judgment on December 14.
An emblematic trial
Viviane Schaller, 68, was performing diagnostic tests for Lyme disease in her laboratory by overriding established protocols. She was then ordered to reimburse the sum of 280,000 euros to the Primary Health Insurance Fund for “fraud” and nine months suspended prison sentence.
The 67-year-old pharmacist had to pay the sum of 10,000 euros in damages to the order of pharmacists, for the manufacture and marketing without the approval of the health authorities of Tic Tox, an alternative treatment based on essential oils against Lyme disease, which did not have a marketing authorization. The verdict was rendered in November 2014. Viviane Schaller and Bernard Christophe then appealed against this decision.
Patient support
The trial of Viviane Schaller and Bernard Christophe, which sounds like a symbol of the fight for the recognition of the disease, is followed by patients and patient associations who actively support the two protagonists. Some came to testify during the appeal trial.
It should be remembered that the chronicity of the disease is not recognized in France and that the recommended treatments – courses of antibiotics of which the duration is regulated – are not able to treat all the patients, denounce some of the latter. . Tic Tox seemed to provide an answer to the ailments of many of them. Other health professionals denounce actions that they consider quackery. For her part, Viviane Schaller – who considers herself a whistleblower – was forced to close her analysis laboratory in Strasbourg.
Find The supplement 09/30/16 dedicated to Lyme disease
An expected action plan
On the sidelines of the trial, the news around Lyme disease is in full swing. Indeed, an action plan has just been announced by the Minister of Health.
In summary, this national plan strengthens the information of the population and health professionals to prevent the appearance of new cases (installation by the National Forestry Office and Public Health France of information panels for walkers and hikers at the entrance to the forests…). It is also intended to improve the diagnosis and care of patients to put an end to the medical wandering from which many suffered, in particular through the provision to doctors of a standardized assessment describing the list of examinations allowing a complete diagnosis should remediate. Finally, it plans to mobilize research to improve knowledge on the subject.
Find L’Invité Santé on 05/12/16 with Prof. Christian Perronne
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