Novartis and Orion's entacapone is currently approved as adjunctive therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease who are experiencing levodopa end-of-dose motor fluctuations. Studies delving into the feasibility and cost effectiveness of long-term administration of entacapone, as well as entacapone's effect on perceived quality of life (QOL), provided impetus for discussion at the 5th Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Sciences (EFNS) [Copenhagen, Denmark; October 2000]. Novartis and Orion are hoping to extend use of entacapone to patients with early-stage disease and sustained motor responses to levodopa. Results of the UK-Irish study, in which patients who were not yet experiencing levodopa end-of-dose motor fluctuations received entacapone, were also presented at the conference.