A panel of the nation’s leading health experts convened in Washington, D.C., yesterday to call on government, academia, industry and patient advocates to take urgent, coordinated action to stem the tide of the impending Alzheimer’s disease epidemic.

Hosted by the Center for Health Transformation, a collaboration of private and public sector leaders and founded by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, the panel included:

• Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., acting commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  
  
• Robert Essner, CEO and chairman, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
  
  
• George Vradenburg, Vradenburg Foundation
  
  
• Meryl Comer, Alzheimer's Association board member, journalist and caregiver
  
  
• Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO
  
  
• Sam Gandy, M.D., chair of the Alzheimer’s Association Medical and Scientific Advisory Council

The panel discussed:

• The financial burdens imposed on individuals, families, governments and the private sector as a result of caring for those with Alzheimer's.
  
  
• The importance of increased research funding to capitalize on the progress made toward new treatments and prevention.
  
  
• The critical need for increased support for caregivers.
  
  
• The steps being taken by the FDA to assist with public and private efforts to find treatments and ultimately a cure.

In August, the Alzheimer's Association met with Dr. von Eschenbach and his staff to discuss the importance of broadening the drug review process to include people with dementia, caregivers, advocates and the Association. On the heels of yesterday’s meeting and as a result of the Association’s efforts, the FDA established an Intra-agency Neurology Working Group to better address issues related to Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases.

This group will enhance the FDA's efforts to facilitate development of new products to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's and other serious neurological diseases. In addition, the FDA will start a new program to involve Alzheimer advocates in the drug review process. These steps are highlighted in this letter from the FDA to the Association.