NL
In the Netherlands, everyone who lives or works in the country contributes to the basic healthcare package. That is why it is important that the available healthcare budget is spent as efficiently as possible. A key question in this regard is: what prices and expenditure on medicines does society consider acceptable? Radboudumc investigated this in a citizen consultation, in collaboration with research agency Motivaction.
In the film report Citizen Forum Socially Acceptable Expenditure on Medicines (MAUG), citizens themselves speak about acceptable prices for medicines. The core of their message: transparency in pricing, public added value, and affordable healthcare are essential.
Prof. Rob Baltussen, IQ Health department, presented the results of this study—in the form of a report and a film report—to the Dutch Healthcare Institute, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, and the Dutch Healthcare Authority.
The findings show that residents want more openness about how prices are set. They are particularly critical when there are doubts about effectiveness or safety, when innovation is limited, or when prices are much higher than in other countries.
The study shows that there is support within society for taking a critical look at the asking prices of medicines.