Mind the gap: a German case study on the discrepancy between geographic accessibility and real-world utilization of botulinum toxin therapy
The results indicate that BoNT-A is recognized and provides therapeutic benefit from the perspective of the treating physician, but structural and economic barriers hinder the use of this therapy. Interestingly, even in a well-resourced system with broad geographic access to specialized care, significant treatment gaps may persist. Recommendations include standardized reimbursement structures, improved education, and increased cross-sector collaboration.
Authors
- Lars Masanneck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2496-1415)
- Robin Jansen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8492-7595)
- Marc Pawlitzki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3080-2277)
- Tristan Koelsche
- A Philipp
- John-Ih Lee
- Sven G. Meuth
Institutions
- Düsseldorf University Hospital (DE)
- Bergman Clinics (NL)
- Kliniken Maria Hilf (DE)
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Neurology
- Published
- 2026-02-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2026.1715279
- Primary Topic
- Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Pfizer
- Sanofi
- Biogen
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals
- Celgene
- B. Braun-Stiftung
- Argenx
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Elan
- Novo Nordisk
- Deutschen Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft
- Ipsen
- Allergan
- Daiichi Sankyo Europe
- Cilag