Heart Disease Deaths Climb in the UK
For the first time in 50 years, heart disease-related deaths in the United Kingdom are mounting. The likely cause? Health disparities and uncontrolled risk factors. The British Heart Foundation reports that 42,384 people under age 75 died from heart-related diseases in 2017. That’s up four percent from 2014. Before that, heart disease-related death rates were […]
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Want Tools for Shared Medical Decision-Making
When it comes to shared medical decision-making, European patients with rheumatoid arthritis are open to ideas. A recent patient questionnaire from the European Alliance for Patient Access revealed that patients don’t always find it easy to talk with their doctor or nurse about their symptoms, treatment and quality of life with rheumatoid arthritis. And […]
UK Study Reinforces Need for Personalised Treatment Plans
High cholesterol? For most patients, that means starting a statin regimen. But now research suggests that it may be time to embrace a more nuanced approach to lowering LDL levels.
What Heart Attack & Stroke Mean to EU Workplaces
Heart attack and stroke don’t just affect patients across Europe, new research reveals. These cardiovascular events also impact the EU’s national economies – by increasing absenteeism and reducing productivity in workplaces across the region. Productivity Loss & Economic Impact Among patients who returned to work, having a heart attack or stroke was associated with losing […]
What EU Parliamentary Candidates Need to Know about Heart Health
As the European Union edges toward parliamentary elections, patient advocates have a message for candidates: Prioritise heart health. As outlined in a recently released manifesto from the European Heart Network, a Brussels-based alliance of foundations and associations dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, Members of the European Parliament have the opportunity to support investment […]
New “Fast Facts” Highlights Impact of High Cholesterol on Europe
More than 50 percent of Europeans have raised cholesterol, increasing their risk of heart attack, stroke and death – and costing the EU billions every year in health care expenses and lost productivity. So explains a new “Fast Facts” policy brief from the European Alliance for Patient Access, a division of the Global Alliance for […]
England Sets Sights on Heart Health
England has a plan. It’s comprehensive, long term and aimed at preventing 150,000 heart attacks and strokes over the next 10 years. How? By, among other measures, reducing high cholesterol, hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Recently released by the National Health Service, England’s “Long-Term Plan” outlines national health strategies for a variety of national health needs […]
Portugal Confirms Patient Role in Treatment Decisions
Do patients have a say in what drug they’re given at hospital? In Portugal, the National Commission for Pharmacy and Therapeutics gave a resounding “yes” this month with a newly released clarification document. The document addresses the use of biosimilars and any switching from a reference product to a biosimilar. The issue was the subject […]
Drug Approval Signals New Options for Stroke, Heart Attack Survivors in Europe
Heart patients in Europe have something to celebrate. This week, the European Commission approved a groundbreaking new drug, evolocumab, to prevent heart attack and stroke for patients who have already survived a cardiac event. The approval marks the entry of an important new tool for secondary prevention. Evolocumab is a PCSK9 inhibitor, which reduces cardiovascular […]
In Europe, Advocates Emphasize Role of Patient Voice
Patient advocacy organisations know the power of the patient voice when it comes to accessing medicine. Just consider Arthritis Ireland. As highlighted during a recent Global Alliance for Patient Access webinar, the group saw patient input make a difference during the country’s experience with access to lidocaine patches. The medication numbs the skin to help […]
