According to current estimates, around eleven million people in Germany live with diabetes, at least 9.1 million of whom have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In addition, there are at least two million people who are still unaware of their condition. Proven diagnostic procedures to reliably detect diabetes include blood glucose and long-term glucose (HbA1c) tests. "Earlier testing means better treatment. If you recognize risks in good time, you can take countermeasures and avoid serious consequential damage," emphasizes Dr. Martin Walger, Managing Director of the VDGH.
Diagnostics support doctors
Diagnostics in medical practices are indispensable for the good care of diabetes patients. However, the latest laboratory reform has cut numerous reimbursement items, including the HbA1c test, which plays a central role in the long-term monitoring of blood glucose. This makes the work of doctors in private practice more difficult and impairs patient care.
"If the diagnostics are available quickly in the doctor's surgery, the results are available immediately and decisions can be made straight away," Walger continues. "This is a real advantage for treatment and for patients' adherence to treatment. Diagnostics must remain close to the patient, whether in the laboratory, in the practice or in prevention."
Testing services should move closer to people
The planned Pharmacy Supply Further Development Act (ApoVWG) opens up new perspectives for prevention: in future, pharmacies will be allowed to offer low-threshold tests, for example to assess the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This reform is expressly welcomed by the VDGH. It creates the basis for integrating diagnostic procedures more closely into local care and reaching people at an early stage who otherwise rarely go to the doctor.
"Pharmacies are central points of contact in the healthcare system. If blood sugar or cholesterol levels can be measured there in a quality-assured manner in future, prevention will become more accessible for many people," says Walger. "This is a useful addition to medical care and can help to detect illnesses earlier."
Strengthening prevention together
The VDGH advocates a comprehensive understanding of prevention that includes both medical screening and low-threshold testing services. The combination of laboratory, practice and patient-oriented tests, for example in pharmacies, creates an efficient, graduated system that strengthens prevention and care in equal measure.
"Diagnostics is the key to detecting diseases early, managing treatments and reducing the burden on the healthcare system," summarizes Walger. "This requires a fair framework and a joint approach from politicians, doctors and industry."
