The European challenges of funding orphan medicinal products.

Background: Funding of orphan medicinal products (OMPs) is an increasing challenge in the European Union (EU).

Objectives: To identify the different methods for public funding of OMPs in order to map the availability for rare disease patients, as well as to compare the public expenditures on OMPs in 8 EU member states.

Methods: Information on the reimbursement status of 83 OMPs was collected in 8 countries by distinguishing standard and special reimbursements.