Following a three year consultation the German plan Measures to Improve the Health Situation of Persons with Rare Diseases in Germany has been published.
“[it] contains 52 distinct proposals for action. Nationally recognised centres of excellence for diseases or groups of diseases that collaborate nationally and internationally are a cornerstone of the German plan in order to provide patients with the best, targeted care available. Providing current, validated information for professionals and patients, improving diagnostics, and supporting research are other key features of the German plan.”
The plan (currently only available in German) aims to build expertise, networks, and to gain from the experience of people with rare diseases.
One of the categories of report accepted for BMJ Case Reports is “rare diseases” – the aim being to learn from new discoveries and insights. We watch this development of national strategies for rare diseases with great interest.