About: Orphan drugs
Czech drug policy shifts toward patients with rare diseases
The Czech government has launched a legislative initiative to improve access to most modern medications and rare disease drugs, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch told EURACTIV in an interview, adding that patients are involved in the decision-making process at a very early stage, including in drafting the law.
New drugs: how much are governments paying for innovation?
The European healthcare sector is divided over the “actual value” EU governments pay for the authorised and partly public-funded novel drugs, compared to medicines already on the market.
EFPIA President: Next EU Commission should prioritise competitiveness in pharma innovation
The next European Commission should focus on the bloc’s role in the global context of innovation, as China is “decisive” about creating a reliable framework for intellectual property and connecting biotech start-ups and digital companies, EFPIA’s President Stefan Oschmann told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Patients: ‘Think carefully’ before questioning orphan drugs’ incentives
Organisations of patients with rare diseases have warned EU policymakers to “think carefully” before reviewing the incentives in the orphan drugs regulation, claiming that the pharma industry should not be discouraged from investing in new therapies.
How Italy and France take on rare sarcoma cancers
EU member states are exploring ways to effectively tackle the rising occurrence and complex nature of rare cancers known as sarcomas.
Lawmakers warn EU pharma industry about drug pricing
Pressure is mounting on pharmaceutical companies to reconsider the way they do business by refocusing their efforts on meeting patient needs and health outcomes rather than their own profits.
Health minister: Drugs pricing will top Malta’s EU presidency
The Maltese EU presidency will seek more transparency in the way pharmaceutical companies negotiate with member states on medicines’ pricing, Health Minister Chris Fearne said in an interview with EURACTIV.
Italy’s pharma scandal heats up drugs pricing debate
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has urged the European Commission to investigate pharma-industry “unethical” practices on drug pricing, after a scandal revealed last week in Italy.
EU health ministers confront crisis in affordability of medicines
EU health ministers took reluctant steps last Friday (17 June) to address the rising price of medicines. InfographicPromoted content
INFOGRAPHIC: Rare diseases in the EU
Rare diseases affect more than 30 million Europeans, many of whom are children! What is the European Union doing about it?
€144 million earmarked for new research on rare diseases
The European Commission will provide €144 million of new funding for 26 research projects, with the objective to deliver 200 new therapies for rare diseases by 2020, the EU's executive announced today (28 February).