Round table advises on the care of those suffering from Long Covid
13.09.2023 12:53
Long Covid patients should have easier access to medicines. This is a result of the Long-Covid round table, which was attended by Federal Health Minister Prof. Dr. Karl Lauterbach invited experts and those affected on September 12, 2023. Afterwards, a commission at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) is to develop a list of medications that can be prescribed and paid for for Long Covid patients even outside of the approval.
The round table is part of the BMG Long-Covid initiative presented in July, which is intended to support those who suffer from the long-term consequences of an infection with the coronavirus.
The aim of the first meeting was to exchange information about the care situation for those suffering from Long Covid in Germany and to discuss possible measures to improve it.
More than 70 guests took part, including representatives from healthcare, science and research, politics, the pharmaceutical industry, specialist societies and associations of those affected.
Federal Health Minister Prof. Karl Lauterbach said: “The treatment of people suffering from Long Covid is difficult. It has been shown that spontaneous healing is rarer than hoped. Unfortunately, the causes and progression of the disease are still not sufficiently clear, although there have been very important new scientific findings in the last few months. Some medications can relieve suffering afterward, even though they were not specifically designed for this condition. That's why we're having a specialist group develop a list of possible medications for patients who suffer from the long-term effects of Corona. The therapy of those suffering from Long Covid should not fail due to formalities. We have to react flexibly and decisively in order to solve this ongoing task.”
As part of the BMG Long-Covid initiative, among other things, a website (www.bmg-longcovid.de) with information on offers of help, information on the current state of research and answers to the most important questions about Long-Covid. In addition, a service telephone was set up for those affected. In addition, the BMG has launched a health services research program with which model projects in particular are funded and evaluated. A second roundtable on Long COVID is scheduled to take place at the end of the year.
Background Off Label Use
There are currently no drugs specifically approved for the treatment of Long Covid. Medicines are therefore used for Long Covid that are actually approved for other areas of application, in so-called “off-label use”. Statutory health insurance companies only pay for medication if the Federal Joint Committee defines exceptions. The expert group at the BfArM should develop recommendations for this. The decision as to whether a drug should be used in an individual case for an indication for which it is not approved is made by the treating doctor within the scope of freedom of treatment.