A new European Commission consultation marks the launch of an evaluation exercise to assess the joint impact of the EU pediatric and orphan drugs legislation in supporting the development of pediatric medicines for rare diseases.

A joint evaluation of the EU pediatrics and orphan drugs legislation is due to commence next year in an effort to understand why the two legal instruments have failed to encourage companies to develop medicines targeting rare diseases in children. The initiative will help decide the possible need for future changes.

The UK’s withdrawal from the EU could upset the Unitary Patent Court project.