Since the start of the epidemic, specialists have been following international drug developments, clinical trials, and scientific publications with special attention, new therapies are included in Hungarian recommendations, but the most important thing is the prevention of serious disease, and the vaccine offers the best chance for that, Kásler emphasized to Magyar Hírlap Miklós, Minister of Human Resources.

- During the epidemic, more and more treatments were developed for those infected with the coronavirus. What therapies and medicines are used now?

- I have asked the relevant medical professions and professional colleges to cooperate, who have been following drug developments, clinical trials, and scientific announcements with special attention since the beginning of the epidemic. Thanks to this, medicines that have received an emergency use license in any country or have been recommended by the pharmaceutical authorities have been and will be included in the medical therapy chapter of the Hungarian Corona Virus Handbook, and their procurement is based on the decision of the operational staff, depending on the possibilities. However, we can't help but say that prevention of serious disease is the most important thing, and that vaccination has the best chance, and this is now proven by clear scientific data. Vaccination reduces the risk of hospitalization and death to a fraction. In addition, the extremely fast-infecting omicron appeared in our country, so there is no time to waste in taking the first and booster vaccinations.

- SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) patients have received considerable attention in recent years. Community gatherings were organized, which generated a great deal of press coverage. Zente is the first thing that comes to mind, but the list grows every year. From April, the gene therapy drug Zolgensma, suitable for the treatment of SMA patients, became available on the basis of individual fairness. What other measures help these patients?

"Indeed it is." According to my instructions and the extraordinary decision of the National Health Insurance Fund, SMA patients can receive the seven hundred million forint Zolgensma product with unique fairness and free of charge. Individual fairness means that the attending physician collects all of the child's findings, and based on these, a professional committee decides whether the patient needs this treatment or another.

As for the screenings: from the end of November, with the professional support and funding of the ministry, the SMA's newborn screening program can begin. The ministry has already developed the professional concept of screening for spinal muscular atrophy in newborns, and provides the resources necessary for the implementation of the model program. In many cases, the disease is not recognized before the symptoms appear, which makes treatment difficult, but the disorder can be detected with a genetic test from a blood sample.

The introduction of SMA screenings for newborns in Hungary can radically change the lives of patients by allowing their treatment to begin even when they are asymptomatic. Early recognition and the use of effective therapy can mitigate and prevent the development of irreversible processes and complications. As part of the neonatal SMA sample program, the screening is performed with a consent form after parental information, from a single extra drop of blood taken from the heel blood, without an additional puncture.

- The coronavirus has also battered the cultural sector. What was done to "keep it alive"?

- In terms of spending for cultural purposes - in terms of the ratio to GDP - Hungary is in first place among the EU member states for the fourth year in a row. Culture played an important role during the epidemic situation and in the restart of life, since in addition to physical health, special emphasis was placed on the preservation of mental health. The cultural sector received HUF 24 billion in support to alleviate the economic problems caused by the pandemic and to compensate institutions for the loss of income.

Source of opening image: Emmi. the full article here.