Polish Alzheimer's Coalition denounces drug price increase

Wednesday 18 January 2012

On 18 January, the Polish Alzheimer's Coalition held a press conference to protest the huge price increase of the drug Exelon, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The price of Exelon rose from EUR 17 in 2011 to EUR 60 in January, following the introduction of a new Reimbursement Policy Act in Poland.

The Coalition is protesting this increase on behalf of those people who can no longer afford to purchase the drug. The press conference was very well attended, including the presence of the deputy minister of health and some 40 journalists.

The Polish Alzheimer Coalition was established in August 2011 and consists of the Polish Alzheimer's Association and several NGOs working on the local level. It is a key player in the ongoing formulation of the National Alzheimer's Strategy for Poland.