EHC is calling on the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to include von Willebrand Factor (VWF) in the Union List of Critical Medicines, highlighting the urgent need to protect patients with von Willebrand Disease (VWD).

VWD affects between 0.6% and 1.3% of the population, making it the most common inherited bleeding disorder. For patients with type 3 VWD and many with type 2 VWD, VWF represents a life-saving therapy when alternative treatments like desmopressin prove ineffective.

Without reliable access to VWF, patients face life-threatening bleeding episodes, increased hospitalisations, and potentially fatal outcomes. Current shortages not only endanger patient lives but also drive up healthcare costs through emergency interventions and extended hospital stays.

While desmopressin remains an option for some type 1 VWD patients, it cannot serve as a comprehensive solution across the full spectrum of VWD cases. Including VWF in the critical medicines list would demonstrate the EU’s commitment to equitable rare disease care and strengthen Europe’s preparedness against medicine shortages.

Adding VWF to this list represents a critical step toward ensuring no patient suffers unnecessarily due to preventable medicine shortages.