The Ombudsman has requested from the Ministry of Health detailed information on the access conditions and public funding of the only treatments currently approved in Europe capable of halting the progression of Alzheimer’s in its early stages, as the Spanish Confederation of Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias (CEAFA) has reported.
This action takes place in response to the complaint filed by CEAFA last September, in which the organization denounced the situation of inequity generated in Spain after the decision of the Interministerial Commission on Drug Prices (CIPM) not to include the drugs lecanemab and donanemab in public funding.
The Ombudsman indicated that it has already formally approached the Ministry of Health to obtain information on this matter and has emphasized that it maintains active monitoring of both this case and the resolutions adopted by the various administrations involved. It has also pledged to inform CEAFA of any new developments or significant progress that occurs.
In addition, the institution has expressed its willingness to hold a meeting with the confederation; however, it clarified that, for the moment, its schedule does not allow for setting a specific date. From CEAFA, they have expressed their gratitude for this disposition and will remain awaiting the possibility of closing that meeting.
"We appreciate the attention of the Ombudsman and its follow-up on this matter. We trust that the meeting will allow us to explain to you firsthand what it means for people with Alzheimer’s to be left out of an authorized therapeutic option. In the meantime, we will continue working so that access to these treatments does not depend on each patient’s financial capacity," said the director of CEAFA, Jesús Rodrigo.
Rejection of funding and risk of inequity
CEAFA filed its complaint with the Ombudsman after the decision of the CIPM, which on July 15 denied public funding for these medications. For the confederation, this refusal entails a difference in access to treatments depending on the financial capacity of each person affected by Alzheimer’s.
In the written submission sent to the institution, the organization warned that these drugs can only be administered in the early stages of the disease, so each month of delay in their availability can entail the irreversible loss of the therapeutic opportunity for numerous patients.
CEAFA also maintained that this situation has a direct impact on the exercise of fundamental rights, including the right to protection of health provided for in Article 43 of the Constitution, and called for the case to be analyzed in the light of Article 9.2, which requires public authorities to promote real and effective equality among citizens.
The confederation also cited the principles of fairness, effective equality and reduction of health inequalities established in Law 16/2003, on cohesion and quality of the National Health System, as well as the guarantees of Article 49 of the Constitution on matters of personal autonomy, since a significant portion of people with Alzheimer’s are, or could come to be, in a situation of disability or dependency.