Ethical, legal and social implications of rare diseases and orphan drugs in Europe: meeting report of a Brocher symposium

Abstract

Ethical, legal and social implications of rare diseases and orphan drugs in Europe (Brocher symposium)

Geneva, Switzerland 18–19 April 2013

As part of the Scientific Program of the Fondation Brocher, a two-day symposium on orphan drugs and rare diseases was held on the shores of Lac Léman in Geneva. Specific focus was on the ethical, legal and social implications of rare diseases and orphan drugs in Europe. The symposium gathered about 30 international stakeholders and experts, representing different scientific disciplines, the pharmaceutical industry and patient representatives.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the symposium participants and speakers for their valuable input and the Fondation Brocher for providing financial and logistical support in the realization of the symposium.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.