Such incentives include the possibility to request protocol assistance (scientific advice) from the EMEA and fee reductions for all types of centralised activities including, fees for protocol assistance, the application for marketing authorisation, variations and annual fees. • The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP), created in the EMEA in April 2000, is the first institutional Committee of the European Union where representatives of patient organisations are full members, one of which is the vice-chairman. • Sponsors have been able to submit applications for orphan medicinal product designation to the EMEA since May 2000 and the response to date is considerable: