Rare Disease Day 2018 – A rare day to put rare diseases in the spotlight!

Did you know… In the US, a rare disease is defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people. In the EU, a disease is defined as rare when it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people.

At Sharp, we pride ourselves in both our flexibility and responsiveness to our US and EU clients because as our pharma clients remind us – at the end of the day, it is all about the patient.

What is Rare Disease Day?

What? Rare Disease Day takes place on the last day of February each year. The main objective of Rare Disease Day is to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.

Why? Building awareness of rare diseases is so important because 1 in 20 people will live with a rare disease at some point in their life. Despite this, there is no cure for the majority of rare diseases and many go undiagnosed. Rare Disease Day improves knowledge amongst the general public of rare diseases while encouraging researchers and decision-makers to address the needs of those living with rare diseases.

When? The first Rare Disease Day was celebrated in 2008 on 29 February, a ‘rare’ date that happens only once every four years. Ever since then, Rare Disease Day has taken place on the last day of February, a month known for having a ‘rare’ number of days.

To learn more about this year’s initiative for Rare Disease Day, please visit the official website by clicking here.