Health-Holland

For six consecutive years, the Netherlands has been awarded a number one position in the Euro Health Consumer Index. This ranking is first and foremost due to the commitment of more than a million healthcare workers serving our patients every day. Furthermore, quality and user friendliness prosper in our dynamic healthcare system, which is a unique system of checks and balances. The government guarantees solidarity and access for all, while competing private healthcare insurers push innovation, user friendliness and value for money. We believe both quality and sustainability are served best by this public-private cooperation. That is why patient organizations, healthcare providers, knowledge institutes and industry work closely together to further improve results for our patients. As in many European countries, it is a challenge to ensure quality of care and maintain an affordable and accessible healthcare system in the future as well. We believe we can only face this challenge together with our private partners. A sensible use of innovative medicines and new medical technologies, for example, will help us to improve medical outcomes. Our country has received international praise for its pioneering work in public-private partnerships. Many small and large companies and knowledge institutions work together with our hospitals on a new generation of innovative drugs. In addition, The Netherlands is a front runner in regulatory science and regulatory innovation. The relocation of the European Medicines Agency to Amsterdam in 2019 will be a driver for an innovative regulatory ecosystem where European public and private parties work together to strengthen the development of new health solutions. The Netherlands offers multiple opportunities for medicines development. First class science, highly motivated and qualified scientists and a stimulating and efficient regulatory environment. I hope this bid book inspires you to make full use of the possibilities the Netherlands has to offer. Together we can improve the health of our citizens. We are looking forward to welcome you. Yours sincerely, Bruno Bruins Minister of Medical Care and Sport FOREWORD 7