The annual Board meeting of the ERN-LUNG – European Reference Network for rare respiratory diseases, took place in Paris on March 24-25, 2025, with over 100 participants, not only from the EU but also UK, US and Canada. Two European patient representatives, Pisana Ferrari and Hall Skaara, (2nd and 3rd from left in the cover […]
The newly launched EURORDIS Patient Partnership Hub brings together resources that facilitate patient-clinician collaboration within the European Reference Networks (ERNs) in one convenient location. From templates and best practice webinars to guides and factsheets, everything is available in a single place. Explore the Patient Partnership Hub at this link and watch the demo webinar here
Access to health care is a broad and complex topic that warrants a clearer definition. What does is actually mean? Is it simply the provision of health services and medicines? An article titled “Access in the rare diseases landscape”, published in The Lancet Global Health October 2024 edition, delves into the different aspects that define
Clinical practice guidelines provide essential recommendations for diagnosing and treating medical conditions. In the realm of pulmonary hypertension a groundbreaking milestone has been achieved with the inclusion of two patient representatives, Pisana Ferrari and Gergely Meszaros JD, MSc, as members of the dedicated task force and co-authors of the new guidelines jointly developed by the European Society of Cardiology and the European Respiratory
“Pongo” serves as the mascot of the Greek Pulmonary Hypertension Association. This elephant doll features a unique characteristic: a minuscule nostril that impedes its ability to breathe adequately, leading to its striking purple hue caused by oxygen deprivation. It was create to educate children to recognize a physical diversity that may not always be visible.
The “Guide to developing a Patient Journey”, published in Mars 2024 by EURORDIS, the European Rare Disease Organisation, provides step-by-step instructions, practical tips, and tools to aid patient representatives in developing Patient Journeys for their respective rare conditions. What are Patient Journeys? Patient Journeys represent an innovative approach aimed at understanding the natural progression of
The European Reference Networks (ERNs) are virtual networks involving healthcare providers across Europe. They aim to facilitate discussion on complex or rare diseases and conditions that require highly specialised treatment, and concentrated knowledge and resources. 24 ERNs are working on a range of thematic issues, including ERN-Lung, the European Reference Center for Rare Lung Diseases, which
The European Commission has launched a call for expressions of interest to represent patients’ organisations in European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP). This is a very important opportunity for patients to have a role in the approval of orphan medicinal products! The call aims to fill three positions nominated by the
The Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety of the European Commission has just issued a new booklet on European Reference Networks (ERNs). European Reference Networks are virtual networks connecting healthcare providers, professionals and patient organisations across the European Union (EU) and Norway. The rationale behind their establishment is that no country alone has the knowledge
The European Reference Networks (ERNs) are virtual networks involving healthcare providers across Europe. They aim to facilitate discussion on complex or rare diseases and conditions that require highly specialised treatment, and concentrated knowledge and resources. The first ERNs were launched in 2017, involving more than 900 highly-specialised healthcare units from over 300 hospitals in 26 EU
The World Orphan Drug Congress is the largest and most established orphan drugs and rare diseases meeting of its kind across the globe. Its 14th annual edition took place in Barcelona, Spain, from October 30 to November 3, 2023. There were 1,500+attendees, 300 speakers and 80+exhibitors. On November 2 the President of AIPI Italian Pulmonary Hypertension
The European Commission (EC) is working on a proposal for an EU Disability Card, to make it easier for people with disabilities to access some services while travelling within the EU. There is currently no mutual recognition of disability status between the EU Member States. This can cause difficulties for persons with disabilities travelling in the EU.
Taking place in February to mark the occasion of Rare Disease Day, the EURORDIS (European Organisation for Rare Diseases) Black Pearl Awards celebrates the inspirational qualities of people living with a rare disease along with those who go that extra mile to make a difference to their lives. The black pearl symbolises these unique individuals,
The EURORDIS Summer School on Medicines Research & Development consists of a one week of face-to-face training, held in June in Barcelona. Free e-learning modules are also available on demand. The EURORDIS Summer School aims to provide rare disease patient advocates with the knowledge and skills needed to become experts in medicines research and development.
The EURORDIS-EFPIA Joint Statement on proposals to improve patient access to medicines was published on June 15 2022. As the EURORDIS-EFPIA press release reads “This is the first time that EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe, as a patient organisation, has come together with the pharmaceutical industry’s European organisation in such a structured dialogue. Discussions focused on how
The European Reference Networks (ERNs) are virtual networks involving healthcare providers across Europe. They aim to facilitate discussion on complex on rare diseases and conditions that require highly specialised treatment, and concentrated knowledge and resources. The first ERNs were launched in 2017, involving more than 900 highly-specialised healthcare units from over 300 hospitals in 26
On December 16, 2021 the UN General Assembly formally adopted Resolution A/RES/76/132 recognising the over 300 million Persons Living with a Rare Disease (PLWRD) worldwide and their families. The Resolution focuses on the importance of non-discrimination and advances key pillars of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including access to education and decent work, reducing
