[Neurological disease in measures against intractable diseases in Japan].

Japan has been taking measures to cope with intractable diseases centering on five principles: "promoting investigation and research", "providing medical care facilities", "reducing co-payment for medical costs", "improving and coordinating community-based health care", "medical care and welfare services", and "promoting welfare measures aimed at improving the quality of life (QOL)". As the object of measures, 118 diseases including serious neurological diseases (e.g. ALS, CJD, PD etc.) have been specified. Thirty years have passed since the specific diseases treatment research program was launched, during which the environment surrounding intractable diseases has changed significantly. In light of this, "Committee on Measures Against Intractable Diseases" was organized in Sept 2001 under the Health Science Council. Based on the interim report of the committee, the government is going to take new measures against the intractable diseases.