As we start the year with a new US President, we now know that one of Mr. Obama’s main agenda items is healthcare reform. Thus, as we greet the month of February, a healthcare debate will begin in earnest on the many changes likely to occur in the coming months and years which may have a significant impact on the way in which healthcare is delivered. Regardless of whatever health system modifications are implemented, there will be an increased emphasis on quality and its measurement and how to deliver medical care at a lower cost.

In this month’s Epilepsy.com Professionals, we are highlighting tangible ways in which healthcare reform may impact the care of patients with epilepsy. Two of our hallway conversations this month directly pertain to this issue. On February 12, 2009, we will be talking to Dr. Jacqueline French over the increasing issue of generic antiepileptic medications. Second generation antiepileptic drugs are now reaching brand patent maturity. Therefore, an increased number of generic versions of these medications are beginning to flood the marketplace. Despite their low cost, questions arise as to whether there is sufficient efficacy data to show that generic versions are equivalent to the original brand name drugs. Given the substantial differences in price and questions of safety; we hope the interview helps clarify the issues.

On February 19, 2009, Hallway conversations will focus on the development of quality measure indicators for epilepsy. We will be talking to one of the Co-Chairs of the panel for the development of the epilepsy quality measures for the American Academy of Neurology, Dr. Nathan Fountain from the University of Virginia. There are eight proposed epilepsy measures pertaining to diagnosis, therapy, counseling and safety which if accepted by the Centers for Medicare of Medicaid services of the US Government, will lead to a requirement for formal documentation that minimum care standards were met at each and every physician/ patient encounter as outlined in these proposals. This issue is important and affects us all. Public comment from physicians, patients and anyone in the epilepsy community will soon open on these proposals in order to make certain that there is a fair and honest vetting before they are implemented. Please download and listen to this interview.

In addition, we will continue to bring you the latest information about new therapies and current events over the course of the month. On February 4, 2009, we will be talking to Dr. Gregory Krauss from Johns Hopkins University Medical Center about the recently approved drug, Rufinamide, which is now available in the United States. Lastly, Dr. Eric Kossoff in his Keto News article discusses whether ketosis is necessary for the ketogenic diet, a thought provoking topic.

Don't Forget New Grant Opportunities – Proposals Due March 7

New grant opportunities are being made available through the Epilepsy Research Foundation’s New Therapy Grants Program. These will be awarded to scientific and clinical investigators pursuing innovative projects that demonstrate a clear path to commercialization. To view the request for proposals and to apply, please visit www.epilepsy.com/etp/research_programs.

We hope that you find all of this helpful in caring for patients with epilepsy and that in some way we contribute to improving quality of life for all patients afflicted with this condition.

Sincerely,

Joseph I. Sirven, MD

Epilepsy.com Board members and contributors cannot give medical advice by email. Only a doctor who has examined the patient and reviewed the medical records can comment on individual patient issues.

We welcome suggestions for additional types of material, but we do not have the capacity to respond to individual requests for information.