23rd Feb 2015 06:29
SAINT HELIER (Alliance News) - Irish drug company Shire PLC Monday called for improved rare disease diagnosis while announcing its support of Rare Disease Day 2015, which takes place annually on the last day of February.
Shire is launching a series of educational materials for Rare Disease Day under a new educational initiative, "Diagnosis Doesn't Have to be Rare", which highlights the often challenging rare disease diagnosis journey. These new awareness materials are posted on Shire.com.
The company said these materials aim to help raise awareness of rare diseases, as knowledge and information are critical to early diagnosis. It also play a major role in empowering patients and their families.
Shire noted that the current average time taken to diagnosis for rare diseases is around 5 years and typically involves 2-3 misdiagnoses, and an accurate diagnosis may be the first step to improve the care for those living with a rare disease.
The theme for this year's Rare Disease Day, "Living with a Rare Disease", acknowledges that developing and facilitating access to diagnostics and treatments could change the day-to-day reality for someone with a rare disease.
Rare Disease Day is coordinated by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases at the international level and by National Alliances and Patient Organisations at the national level.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
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