Prophylaxis for Adults
Brussels, 2 June 2010, 09.00am-12.30pm
Stanhope Hotel Brussels, Rue du Commerce 9
Participants of the 10th European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC) Round Table called for the adoption and dissemination of national policies that encourage best practice in prophylactic treatment for adults. The stakeholders also advocated for a common methodology to be adopted to assess cost effectiveness of prophylaxis for adults, gathering a comprehensive data, and a common framework on the management of chronic diseases.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Coppola from the University Hospital of Naples, Italy highlighted that it is today widely recognised that prophylaxis contributes to improve the quality of life of patients, and is the treatment of choice recommended by the World Health Organization and the World Federation of Haemophilia since 1994.
The debate also focused on the economic evaluations of prophylaxis. Dr. Karen Berger, from the University Hospital of Munich, Germany talked about the importance and challenges of gathering comprehensive data on the cost effectiveness of prophylaxis for adults. In particular, she specified that the evidence on the value of money spent was a key driver to a positive decision on reimbursement. To collect this evidence, Dr. Berger believes that it is important to put in place a core and flexible European model of health economics on prophylaxis in Haemophilia.
Mr. Brian O’Mahony, member of the EHC Steering Committee presented the results of a recent survey he conducted on young adults with Haemophilia in four Member States. The study clearly demonstrates that early and continuous prophylaxis works and should be preferred to on demand treatment, as it reduces the number of joint bleeds, the number of days missed at work or college, it reduces the pain, increases the mobility and self-care of the patients, and therefore clearly increase the quality of life.
The Round Table was also the occasion to hear the insurers’ perspective. In the opinion of Dr. Jan Van Emelen, from Association Internationale de la Mutualité, political decisions prevail on data, thus what really counts is collaboration and partnerships towards sustainable health systems. Dr. Van Emelen called for a change in the administrative, financial and health paradigms, and to gather partners to agree on a framework for disease management, which empower patients, and addresses in a sustainable way to challenges of a growing ageing population.
Consensus arose on the need to promote best practices in the treatment of adult Haemophiliacs, and in particular on the recognition of the benefits of prophylaxis in contributing to a health of an ageing population. Echoing the Round Table exchange, the EHC calls for:
Recognition of benefits of preventive treatment for adult Haemophiliacs
More data to be developed, combined and collected on prophylaxis for adults
A core methodology to be adopted to gather evidence and assess cost effectiveness of prophylaxis for adults
A common framework to be adopted on chronic disease management
Please see the Round Table documents:
Speakers Presentations:
For more information please contact: info@ehc.eu
