11/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, the European organisation made up of associations of patients and families affected by rare diseases has welcomed the Council of Ministers' adoption of the recommendation to member states to put in place national plans for rare diseases, to promote research and to develop European Reference Networks before the end of 2013 (see also EUROPE 9915). EURODIS regrets, however, that member states have not gone with several European Parliament recommendations of massive importance to patients and their families: - the provision of adequate funding for the Orphanet database, ensuring the funding of reference centres and setting up networks; - provision of funding for patients' associations and involving them in the management and assessment of reference centres. EURODIS intends to keep a very close watch on how well the recommendation adopted in Luxembourg on Tuesday 9 June is implemented. (O.L./transl.rt)