Allergies may affect up to 40 per cent of the population. This makes it the single most frequent chronic illness in children and adults under 65.
However, only 10 per cent of sufferers are treated correctly. Optimal treatment could save Europe up to €150bn in indirect costs for society and employers.
Speaking at a hearing in the European Parliament on the "European need for precision medicine in allergy and airways diseases", Chair of the interest group on allergy and asthma, Sirpa Pietikäinen, backed calls for an action plan on using precision medicine to deliver benefits to patients.
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She acknowledged that steps such as the air quality directive and greening of cities were contributing to prevention, particularly of asthma.
However, asthma sufferers needed access to effective treatment.
Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis agreed, and thanking Pietikäinen for bringing the issue to the fore. He recognised the clear link between health and Europe’s productivity.
Clinicians representing the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), explained that new techniques in disease management, like precision medicine, could help deliver better outcomes.
EAACI secretary general, Peter Hellings, explained that this approach tailors treatment to the patients’ individual characteristics.
This allows a more accurate prediction of which treatment and prevention strategies will be effective. This will increase patient involvement, reduce the costs of side-effects and improve prevention.
He urged for the creation of platforms, including a centre of expertise, to leverage the benefits of a precision medicine approach in allergy and airways diseases. This needs the commitment of all stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, patients and industry.