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Strategy Launched on COPD

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
14 June 2011

COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY LAUNCHED TO COMBAT GROWING EPIDEMIC OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Catherine Stihler MEP, a leading advocate on health issues affecting Scotland, is TODAY (15 June 2011) leading an open forum debate in the European Parliament to discuss the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).  Participants from across Europe, including experts from national professional organisations, patient associations and physicians, attended the open forum meeting, hosted by Catherine Stihler MEP.

Despite a considerable decline in smoking rates in Scotland, COPD continues to be a growing epidemic across the country.  

Mrs. Stihler commented:

“With the relevance of COPD underestimated, amidst differing standards affecting patient care, a joint effort is needed to address this burdensome disease for patients and their families. Across Scottish and European levels, limitations in policies need to be challenged and obstacles to effective care need to be removed. What we need is a robust policy framework to allow health care professionals to identify patients earlier and make the necessary interventions to tackle this disease effectively.”

“It is estimated that 100,000 people in Scotland suffer from COPD, but with low detection rates I am sure that the figure is much higher.  Over the course of the next two decades, it is estimated that there shall be an increase of over 30% of detected cases.  COPD accounts for over 4,500 deaths every year and over 100,00 bed days”.

Discussing the management of COPD, Dr. David Halpin, Consultant Physician and Senior Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, UK said: “Best outcomes can be achieved with a holistic treatment approach, which includes smoking cessation. I am very confident that collaborative initiatives will help to put COPD higher on the agenda of European decision-makers and thus help to reduce the number of deaths and the significant economic burden caused by this disease.”
 
This program was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer Inc.

ENDS