Approximately 8,5 million people have Parkinson’s disease worldwide and ~1.2 million in Europe. Globally, disability and death due to PD are increasing faster than any other neurological disorder. The prevalence of PD has doubled in the past 25 years. Lithuania has around 12 thousand patients with Parkinson’s disease and approximately 2 thousand with advanced Parkinson’s.
World Parkinson’s Day is observed on April 11 every year to raise awareness about this medical condition.
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative condition of the brain associated with motor symptoms (slow movement, tremor, rigidity and imbalance) and other complications, including cognitive impairment, mental health disorders, sleep disorders and pain and sensory disturbances.
Until now, Levodopa/carbidopa was known as the most effective medicine for improving symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
But almost two years ago, in partnership with Zambon, Norameda introduced a new Rx medicine to treat mid-to-late-stage Parkinson’s disease in the Lithuanian market. The first results are promising: patients’ quality of life has improved significantly, and there is even a real possibility of reducing the quantities of Levodopa intake and its side effects.
“This medicine improves motor and non-motor symptoms. As well as that, it is currently considered one of the best solutions for pain management. Unfortunately, statistics indicate that more than two-thirds of patients suffer from pain caused by Parkinson’s disease,” says Sandra Ivanauskienė, the Norameda Special Care Medicine Department Head.
Norameda is the only company to offer this medicine to Parkinson’s patients in Lithuania. Unfortunately, this medicine still needs to be added to the reimbursed medicine list, but Norameda’s team is working hard to change this situation.
“Doctors and patients have already recognised the potential of this new medicine by Zambon. It demonstrates a significant improvement on daily ON-time without troublesome dyskinesia and pain – so our main aim now is, therefore, to make it available to all patients with Parkinson’s disease”, says S. Ivanauskienė.
According to the leader of the Norameda Special Care Medicine Department, patients with Parkinson’s disease have been neglected due to the absence of new medicines for too long.