A Global Calling for Universal Levodopa Access in Parkinson Disease Treatment: Michael S. Okun, MD

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"One of the things we call for in our new book, The Parkinson Plan, is that we should have levodopa access for all. We call for 100% access for everyone. We think it’s unconscionable that we can have drugs for HIV—even very complicated cocktails—available for anyone on the planet, yet a pill that’s been available for over 50 years and is still the gold standard therapy for Parkinson is not accessible to low-income countries. "

A duo of leading experts in Parkinson disease (PD), Ray Dorsey, MD, and Michael S. Okun, MD, have outlined a comprehensive strategy to prevent, slow, and treat the condition in their new book publication titled The Parkinson’s Plan. In the book, the 2 experts draw on their heavy research and clinical experience, emphasizing how everyday factors such as diet, water quality, air pollution, and lifestyle choices can influence the risk of PD. The book also features additional expert insights, integrating the latest advances in medical research and technology into a practical framework for treatment.¹

Described as both a prevention guide and a treatment blueprint, The Parkinson’s Plan aims to offer readers a clear and actionable path toward reducing the global burden of the disease. Throughout the book, the authors outline targeted strategies for slowing disease progression and improving patient outcomes, advocating for a future where PD is far less common and treatments are increasingly effective. By combining scientific evidence with real-world expertise, Dorsey and Okun aim to empower readers of the PD community with the tools to potentially make strides in managing this neurological condition.

In a recent interview with NeurologyLive^®, coauthor Okun, director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, underscored the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment for PD, noting the decades of evidence supporting levodopa as a safe and effective therapy. Okun, who also serves as national medical advisor for the Parkinson's Foundation, highlighted that access to levodopa remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries despite its long-standing status as the gold-standard treatment. Drawing parallels to the global HIV response, Okun called for targeted, country-specific strategies to improve access to levodopa, as outlined in his new book The Parkinson Plan.

Click here to learn more about The Parkinson’s Plan by Ray Dorsey, MD & Michael S. Okun, MD.

REFERENCES
1. Dorsey R, Okun MS. The Parkinson’s Plan. PublicAffairs; 2025.