title: A call for action to improve access to care and treatment for patients with rare diseases in the Asia-Pacific region.
abstract: This article is a call for action to the relevant stakeholders to improve access to care and treatment for patients with rare diseases in the Asia-Pacific region by looking into three main areas: (a) developing legislative definitions to confer enforceable protection, (b) creating or strengthening policies by objectively measuring the impact brought about by rare diseases and establishing platforms to reach out to the rare disease community, and (c) fostering collaboration across sectors and countries. It is hoped that these suggested actions can catalyze discussions and progress in the region.
authors.forename: Swee-Sung
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Soon
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Hwee-Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Durhane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wong-Rieger
authors.forename: Salmah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bahri
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hickinbotham
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.forename: Bor-Sheng
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacDonell
authors.forename: Jasmine Roah-Fang
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Pwu
authors.forename: Ruby
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Ekaphop
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sirachainan
authors.forename: Dong-Churl
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wale
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hwee-Lin
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Wee
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D010140:Pacific Ocean / Q000208:ethnology; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome