A high-level conference organised in Warsaw on Thursday 10 April under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union highlighted the importance of adopting a Europe-wide policy framework on rare diseases.
The European Union needs a European action plan on rare diseases that complements existing legislation, encourages investment and strengthens cooperation at European and national levels, according to a press release from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The EESC organised the conference ‘Towards a European Action Plan on Rare Diseases’ with the Polish Ministry of Health and the Warsaw Medical University.
Experts attending the event felt that the European Commission and EU Member States should prioritise the development and implementation of an EU-wide action plan that meets the diverse needs of patients and healthcare providers. This initiative would considerably strengthen the EU’s response to rare diseases, filling gaps in care and improving treatments.
MEPs are also calling for this kind of action plan (see EUROPE 13614/14). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)