EU Parliament must have say on alzheimer`s research

Posted by Bronwen Maher on November 11, 2009 at 04:58 PM

Labour MEP insists Swedish Presidency must take account of Parliament’s voice on "the family disease"

The European Parliament must not be ignored when it comes to proposals by the Commission regarding research into Alzheimer's, according to Labour MEP Nessa Childers.

Addressing the European Parliament today in Brussels, Nessa Childers said: “As a former healthcare professional of over thirty years it was particularly distressing to learn that the Parliament might not be consulted regarding the Commission's proposals on Alzheimer's disease.

"Alzheimer's disease is a prevalent part of life for many European citizens, affecting one in 20 people aged over 65. The disease becomes deeply distressful in its later stages, destroying memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. As Europe's population becomes older, the impact of Alzheimer's will become deeper too with the number of Alzheimer's cases worldwide predicted to grow from 35 million today to 107 million cases in 2050.

"One of the most harrowing aspects of Alzheimer's disease is the many people it affects apart from the patient. In Ireland, for example, there are only 50,000 listed carers to cater for Ireland's 44,000 Alzheimer's sufferers.  Alzheimer's disease is often called a family disease, because of the chronic stress of watching a loved one slowly decline.

"The further role of the European Parliament in the fight against Alzheimer's disease should not be discounted. Any new direction by the EU on Alzheimer's should take account of the Parliament's voice on the matter and should move to assist, not just Alzheimer's sufferers but also the many carers who work to increase their quality of life."

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