Food for medical purposes deductible such as drugs

Fedaisf editorial staff

October 26, 2016

La proposta della parlamentare piddina Vittoria D’Incecco. La proposta intende allineare l’Italia ai maggiori Paesi europei e offrire sostegno a 33milioni di adulti europei a rischio denutrizione che gravano con un costo sociale pari a 120miliardi

Foods administered to patients with particular pathologies, defined as 'Food for Special Medical Purposes' (AFMS), may be deductible as is the case with medicines. The matter is contained in a bill presented by Victoria D'Incecco, Piddina parliamentarian and member of the XII Social Affairs commission of the Chamber of Deputies. Signed by 39 parliamentarians from transversal political groups, the proposal intends to align Italy with the major European countries and offer support to 33 million European adults at risk of malnutrition who are burdened with a social cost of 120 billion, higher than that of obesity (Source SINPE - Italian Society of Artificial Nutrition and Metabolism).

'Malnutrition is a disease within a disease', explains Maurizio Muscaritoli, full professor of Internal Medicine at the Sapienza University of Rome, who is 'destined to an aging population which leads to an increase in chronic diseases. The category of cancer patients is one of the most important but not the only one that could have a significant positive impact from a correct and conscious use of clinical nutrition. It is important to underline that today a large part of the metabolic-nutritional needs of chronically ill patients are not satisfied and this has a negative impact on health care costs because malnutrition by default causes a reduction in the immune system and numerous other problems which can lead to hospitalizations in large part avoidable. Unfortunately, in Italy there is no reference standard for the diagnostic-therapeutic-assistance pathways of clinical nutrition. In this regard, the role of the scientific societies of clinical nutrition and metabolism is fundamental in initiating and maintaining a constant dialogue between health and academic institutions and professionals in the sector'.

Furthermore, the research carried out confirms that 1 out of 4 patients is at risk of malnutrition or already has a non-optimal nutritional status. It is also estimated that 1 in 5 cancer patients die from malnutrition. Malnourished patients undergoing chemotherapy may have more marked side effects and for this reason they must stop their anticancer treatments. Malnutrition in cancer patients is then associated with a lower response to treatment, worse clinical outcomes and poor quality of life.

If the proposal of the hon. D'Incecco will be law, the spending commitment for the Italian State will be 6.6 million in three years offset by savings in terms of social costs and the benefits provided to citizens suffering from pathologies, such as: tumors, neurological disorders or strokes, respiratory diseases, dementia. Therefore, clinical nutrition at the service of better health.

'I have been working for two years on extending the deductibility to those categories of patients who suffer from serious pathologies or find themselves in a particular situation where they have to eat differently from healthy individuals and, therefore, need food formulated for particular needs clinics. I wish that the Government accept my proposal and that of many of my colleagues who, beyond the political alignment, have shared this battle for civilization which becomes all the more necessary if we look on the one hand at the growing de-hospitalization for many categories of patients and on the other, the enormous weight that their purchase has on families'.

(segreteria@mariellacolonna.com)