Awareness Day Oct 22: NEWS! FQAD – EU Parliament hearing to take place in November! Our floxed friends in Germany, FQAD Working Group, recently shared news of a promising development in their efforts to have FQAD* recognized through a dedicated ICD diagnosis code for the entire EU. They are asking for support from the global community. Please see below on how to help. Their November 5th hearing at the European Parliament could help build momentum for recognition elsewhere, including here in the United States. Although the United States now has codes for adverse effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, FQAD was not a condition the CDC would recognize. We wish the FQAD Working Group a victory and encourage support of their efforts. 🌍Petition Summary: The petitioner wishes to raise awareness of the severe, multisystemic condition known as Fluoroquinolone Associated Disability (FQAD), caused by the use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The petitioner argues that the disease is far from “rare” and that thousands of patients across Europe suffer irreversible damage, some even resorting to suicide. A public hearing on quinolones was held by the EMA on 13 June 2018, after which the agency issued warnings about long-term, potentially permanent side effects. Since then, further studies have confirmed the toxicity, yet the EU still lacks a dedicated primary ICD code for FQAD, preventing proper medical treatment and social security recognition. In Germany, Dr Stefan Pieper’s 2020 book and his unsuccessful proposal for an ICD code, the petitioner argues, illustrate the systemic neglect; only a secondary “callout” code (Y57.90!) was introduced in 2026, which does not enable targeted care. The petitioner cites divergent estimates of affected individuals: the German health insurance institute AOK’s WIdO counted at least 40 000 harmed patients in 2018, while the EMA’s PRAC estimated only 3 000 EU cases per year. Independent analyses suggest up to 400 000 Europeans could be impacted annually. The petitioner requests answers from the EMA and the European Parliament on whether recent data are being monitored, what research has been commissioned, and whether the 20202024 study on label changes constitutes a final solution. The petitioner demands a reevaluation of fluoroquinolone safety, the creation of a specific primary ICD code for FQAD, and concrete measures to protect patients and prevent further harm. How you can support this opportunity! ➥ Visit & learn more on their website and select English translation fqad-deutschland.de/eu-petit… then choose: 🌍EU Petitions Portal – register for a user account, fill in your info and follow the steps to comment in support Or 🌍Declaration of Solidarity – Print and fill in your contact info and support comment; scan and email back to: fqad.ag[email protected] * FQAD – Fluoroquinolone Associated Disability. See FDA definition at the bottom of our Foundation’s website page: fq100.org/fda-warnings Fluoroquinolone Adverse Effects diagnostic code info for the USA: fq100.org/find-help