What does the EPDA do?

The European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA) is a non-political, non-religious, and non-profit making organisation concerned with the health and welfare of people living with Parkinson's disease and their families and carers.

Founded in June 1992 in Munich, with a membership of nine European Parkinson's patient organisations, the EPDA currently has a membership of 44 organisations across Europe, see www.epda.eu.com/members.

The EPDA provides an important forum for partnership. By encouraging constructive dialogue between international patient and neurological organisations and the pharmaceutical industry, they are able to develop research projects into quality of life issues, and conferences for multidisciplinary teams and people with Parkinson’s of all ages.

To ease the lives of people with Parkinson's disease and their families and carers by promoting a constructive dialogue between science and society, and by encouraging and supporting the development of national PD organisations.

The EPDA aims to ensure the best possible quality of life for people with Parkinson's, their carers and families. This can be achieved by:

• providing and continually updating medical and caring best practice to all involved in their management;
• making this information readily available to facilitate dialogue and sharing of successful activities across member organisations;
• providing targeted educational tools, and acting as a voice for Parkinson’s in Europe with key decision makers.