European Rare Diseases Day 2014

The European Commission marked on 27 February 2014 the European Rare Diseases Day. The document outlines the different approaches developed by the European institutions to further improve access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from a rare disease throughout the European Union.

A disease or disorder is defined as rare in the EU when it affects less than five in every 10000 citizens. Between 30 and 40 million people in the EU, many of whom are children, suffer from rare diseases.

EMA: Press Release, 25.02.14: Rare Disease Day 2014 – twelve new orphan medicines available to patients over the past year http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/news_and_events/news/2014/02/news_detail_002033.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058004d5c1

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