The annual report on the State of the Art of Rare Disease Activities in Europe is now available online. This extensive report provides a comprehensive overview of rare disease and orphan drug activities at both the European Union (EU) and Member State levels throughout 2013. It was elaborated by the Scientific Secretariat of the EUCERD (European Union Committee of Experts on Rare Diseases) Joint Action in collaboration with and on input of the rare disease community including Member States representatives of the European Commission Expert Group on Rare Diseases. The report includes EU Member States’ progress in developing and implementing a national plan/strategy for rare diseases, as pointed out by the Council Recommendation on an Action in the Field of Rare Diseases.

The European Union Committee of Experts on Rare Diseases (EUCERD) was established in 2009 and its mandate, ended in 2013, has been replaced by the Commission Expert Group on Rare Diseases. The EUCERD Joint Action will continue to support the activities of the new Expert Group until 2015.
For further information and reading the report (freely accessible), visit the following address http://ec.europa.eu/health/rare_diseases/publications/index_en.htm#anchor1