The spray formulation of glucagon , a life-saving drug that allows better management in the event of serious hypoglycaemic crises in children with diabetes 1 , especially at school, is once again free. This is the request of the Diabete Italia patient association, on the occasion of a conference on World Diabetes Day at the Chamber.
A theme that is also at the heart of Sardinia : the island, as the president of the Social Affairs Commission of the Chamber Ugo Cappellacci recalled today, «has become the first region in the world in terms of incidence of type 1 diabetes on the pediatric population » .
«The glucagon spray - explains Stefano Nervo, president of Diabete Italia - allowed school workers above all to be able to take on responsibility with greater serenity in the management of children with diabetes at school. The previous syringe formulation was more complex to make in case of risk of severe hypoglycemia and loss of consciousness. This drug remained in band A, i.e. reimbursable, for a couple of years, now it has moved to band C, which requires payment. It is a drug that costs up to 150 euros in pharmacies, a heavy expense for families . Our request is that it becomes reimbursable again , better managing the dispensing and, in case there are problems, limiting it to the pediatric range".
"It is sufficient for children to have one at school and one at home , but even just one may be enough - concludes Nervo - this drug can help diabetic children to be more included in school activities in safety ."
«I asked the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci - specified Ugo Cappellacci - that Sardinia be included in the pilot project entrusted to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità to implement an early screening. It is fundamental because this project will be preparatory to the general screening campaign».
Cappellacci then also underlined the importance of health education starting from schools . «We will make a bill that goes in the direction of including health education in the compulsory school curricula - he concluded -: this is because by now I believe that there is awareness on the part of everyone that lifestyle and prevention are crucial compared to treatment and early diagnosis."
(Unioneonline/vl)
