Alzheimers disease: cost cuts call for novel drugs development and national strategy

Ceska Slov Farm. 2015 Spring;64(1-2):25-30.

Abstract

Mental health affects the quality of life for a large number of individuals and family members. Currently, globally costs for people with dementia amount to more than 1% of gross domestic product (GDP). In the future, the growth of expenditure is expected with regard to the fact that the population of developed countries is aging and the dementia is closely associated with increasing age. It is evident that governments have to allocate adequate financial, material and human resources to address a health problem on this scale. The purpose of this article is to explore the current state of treatment and care of patients suffering from Alzheimers disease (AD), analyze direct and indirect health care costs resulting from this disease. In addition, the authors of this article draw attention to the implementation of astrategic plan which would handle all the aspects of AD, including the research of drugs development since nowadays there are not still many drugs which would improve AD patients state, particularly in the early phases, as well as there does not exist any well-functioning national strategic plan in the Czech Republic which would bring a radical improvement in reducing the effects of AD.Key words: Alzheimers disease costs treatment strategic plan.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Czech Republic
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Health Care Costs*
  • Health Expenditures
  • Humans