SFEE: In Support of the WHA Resolution on Rare Diseases
Press Release
The Pharmaceutical Industry supports the International Initiative for the Adoption of the World Health Assembly Resolution on Rare Diseases, aiming for a society without exclusion and discrimination.
Chalandri, 18 June 2025.- The Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE) and its Rare Diseases Platform welcome the adoption of the Resolution at the World Health Assembly (WHA) titled «Rare Diseases: A Global Health Priority for Equity and Inclusion».
The WHA Resolution offers a unique opportunity to shape meaningful and coordinated policies that meet the needs of 300 million people living with a rare disease. The resolution serves as a catalyst for developing a ten-year Global Action Plan for rare diseases. A Global Action Plan can serve as the driving force and guide for every country to develop, implement, and continuously evaluate its national strategies. Already, 26 countries — including Greece — have co-sponsored the Resolution, and several have initiated parliamentary discussions on the necessity of National Action Plans for rare diseases.
Despite the progress made, patients in Greece still face significant delays in diagnosis, limited access to innovative treatments, and major social and economic challenges. In this context, SFEE actively supports coordinated, sustainable efforts at both national and international levels, aiming to ensure equal and unhindered access to diagnosis, treatment, and innovation for patients. This contributes significantly to improving patients’ quality of life and to building an inclusive healthcare system.
For a detailed presentation of the positions of the Association’s Rare Disease Platform, we refer to the Policy brief titled: «The Need for a Comprehensive Strategy for the Management and Addressing of Rare Diseases through the Creation and Implementation of a National Action Plan»
