Małgorzata Solecka: Grand Canyon in the Himalayas

When, on Sunday, May 29, the PSL leader expressed his indignation with the situation around the restoration of VAT on rebates for treatment, which hit the beneficiaries the more, the greater the amount at stake - and in the case of SMA gene therapy, we are talking about amounts in the range of 9-10 million PLN, which is an absolute collection "top", a storm broke out. Okay, not great, Twitter is seeing bigger, also in the area of ​​health topics, but noticeable.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz should not use capslock in twitts. This is against netiquette (yes, there is something like that, it also applies to politicians). This, however, is the smallest fault of the peasants' leader. First of all, he should not write about the non-reimbursement of the drug for SMA. It is known that patients with SMA in Poland have access to the drug from the beginning of 2018 and - what is more - the Polish program is one of the most inclusive among EU countries. In other words - almost everyone has a chance for treatment. The program does not exclude anyone, although circumstances may exclude them.

Is the lack of reimbursement for gene therapy a scandal? Certainly, doctors treating patients with SMA would wish for themselves - and for patients - the comfort of choice. At almost every conference where the topic of treating neurological diseases is discussed, the example of SMA is served in a sweet and bitter sauce. On the one hand, we are pleased with a good drug program, the effects of which have recently been enhanced by screening tests. On the other hand - everyone interested would like more. But the arguments regarding the manufacturer's price persistence also have to be taken into account. They are not "negligible".

Twitt, however, had a follow-up: Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that the Polish Coalition had submitted “a project to eliminate this absurd tax. PiS, what are you waiting for ?! Instead of boasting about budget profits, help needy families! ”. The stake is - with so much money - the amount of approx. 700 thousand. PLN from one collection.

“At the beginning, please indicate, how much did you do for children with SMA during your tenure in the government? You are calumny, but you and your government have done NOTHING, and we have introduced Spinraza reimbursement and screening tests for SMA all over Poland. Himalayas of hypocrisy! " - chirped Adam Niedzielski.

The head of the health ministry (he should not use large fonts either) should know that it is good to avoid drug trade names in public statements. So it would be more correct to write about nusinersen refund. This, however, is actually a minor matter. Because Adam Niedzielski should not ascribe to himself - or the formation with which he identifies - merits and achievements of the pharmaceutical industry and science as such. Nusinersen was admitted to trading in EU countries in mid-2017. Almost two years after the PO-PSL coalition gave up power. It was also the first drug for SMA, so the governments of Donald Tusk and Ewa Kopacz could neither take nor make any reimbursement decisions. "We introduced" - as it is easy to say. Nothing happened overnight, and those who have struggled for a year and a half for drug reimbursement know it best. The decision of Minister Łukasz Szumowski was a huge success, but it was paid for with even more effort - not only by officials. Nothing happened fast, fun, and done.

Of course, Adam Niedzielski could say that "for children with SMA" you can do something more than just refund the drug (incidentally, not only children suffer from SMA). For example, the adoption and implementation of the National Plan for Rare Diseases, which the PO-PSL governments did not manage for two terms, although there were announcements. But let those who do not delay the adoption of this document for six long years be the first to throw a stone. One and a half term. Not everything can be explained by a pandemic, because the adoption of the document was announced just after the 2015 elections. It is worth having this behind your head when trying to hold political opponents and opponents accountable for their omissions (which undoubtedly weigh on their political consciences or files).

Politicians often argue that health topics should connect, not divide. That health is "beyond divisions." Then they open Twitter and start digging Grand Canyon-sized trenches. Hypocrisy climbers.