Main glossary


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O

Off-label

Off-label use is when a drug is used for something other than for what it was approved.


On-label

A drug label describes the uses regulatory agencies have approved for the drug


Opportunity cost

The cost in terms of the value of the treatment compared to the best alternative option that was not chosen. For example, if the NHS decided to spend money on a new treatment for a rare disease, an opportunity cost would be that the money spent on this new treatment could not be spent on anything else.


Orphan

Conditions that only affect a small group of patients. In the European Union (EU), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) defines this as a condition affecting fewer than 1 in 2,000 individuals (European Medicines Agency, 2015).



Orphan disease

Another term for rare disease. They are conditions that only affect a small group of patients. In the European Union (EU), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) defines this as a condition affecting fewer than 1 in 2,000 individuals (European Medicines Agency, 2015)


Orphan drug

A medicine developed for a rare disease.


Orphanet

An online portal containing information related to rare diseases, orphan drugs, patient organisations, professionals and institutions, research projects, clinical trials, biobanks and expert centres. 


Outcome

A broad term often used to describe a variety of results from trials


Outcome measures

Outcomes measures are measurements of the effects of a treatment or service. They might include physical measurements - for example measuring blood pressure - or psychological measurements - for example measuring people's sense of well-being. So if someone takes part in research, they may be asked questions or may be asked to have extra tests to assess how well the treatment or service has worked. 


Outcomes

A broad term often used to describe a variety of results from trials