Fifteen major institutions specialising in the treatment and research of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Switzerland have released a position statement, underlining the importance of continuing the reimbursement of anti-dementia drugs. The decision to publish this paper was made in reaction to the French government’s decision, last year, to stop the reimbursing anti-dementia drugs, and to ensuing doubts among a section of the population in Switzerland.
The position statement, published on 6 April 2019, recalls current knowledge and hopes in the field of dementia and AD care and treatment. The authors ask that, in the wake of the 2014-2019 National Dementia Strategy, all those concerned continue to be entitled to an accurate diagnosis and reimbursement for anti-dementia drugs, by the compulsory health care insurance. The position statement emphasises that dementia progresses with age and requires a combined approach, of drugs as well as non-pharmacological interventions, in order to improve or stabilise cognitive symptoms.
The institutions also state that early diagnosis and treatment of dementia improves people's autonomy and prolongs the possibility of care at home, and stress the need for more training for health professionals, as well as the importance of educating the general public further, about dementia. They emphasise that scientists and the media must take responsibility in this area. The position statement and the list of signatories (FR) can be found here: https://bit.ly/2PxyBER For more information: Prof. Giovanni Frisoni giovanni.frisoni@hcuge.ch +41 79 137 42 55