On the morning of June 24, 2024, Song Ruilin, Executive President of the China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association (PhIRDA), met with Barbara Goezinne, Vice Minister of Curative Care (CZ) of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) of the Netherlands and the delegation. The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on strengthening China-Netherlands cooperation in drug regulation and the pharmaceutical industry.

Meeting

Song extended a warm welcome to Barbara Goezinne and her delegation and highly praised the Ministry of VWS of the Netherlands for its significant contributions to promoting China-Netherlands pharmaceutical cooperation. Song noted that in recent years, the government departments, medical institutions, and experts from both China and the Netherlands have maintained close exchanges and engaged in multi-level, multi-field cooperation in medical health and medical research. The Netherlands boasts a vibrant life sciences industry cluster, a competitive biopharmaceutical industry, and innovative biotechnology companies. The two countries should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in pharmaceutical innovation and industry, leveraging the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) relocation to Amsterdam to fully utilize the Netherlands’ outstanding advantages in drug development and healthcare. This will add strong momentum to comprehensive cooperation and win-win outcomes in the pharmaceutical field between the two countries and support global pharmaceutical industry innovation and development. At the same time, to address the drug shortage problems faced by the Netherlands and Europe, Song called for the drug regulatory agencies of China and the Netherlands to accelerate the establishment of harmonised drug regulatory standards, to shorten approval process and attract more Chinese pharmaceutical companies to invest and set up factories in the Netherlands, promoting the mutual exchanges and flow of pharmaceutical products between the two countries.

Barbara Goezinne expressed heartfelt thanks to PhIRDA for the warm reception and highly acknowledged PhIRDA’s significant contributions to promoting international pharmaceutical industry innovation cooperation. She pointed out that the drug regulatory agencies of the Netherlands and China have maintained close communication and cooperation. Since the EMA’s relocation to Amsterdam, the Netherlands has played a more critical role as a hub connecting Europe’s pharmaceutical industry with regulatory bodies worldwide. As one of the pioneers in clinical research legislation in Europe, the Netherlands is a global leading center in clinical medicine innovation. She hopes to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the field of clinical research, encouraging Chinese pharmaceutical companies to include the Netherlands in their international multi-regional clinical trials (MRCT), thereby benefiting more local people with Chinese innovative achievements. Meanwhile, she hopes that China and the Netherlands will enhance exchanges and cooperation on the issue of drug shortages. By sharing drug shortage lists and learning from China’s successful practices, both countries can jointly address international drug shortage issues, maintain the security of the drug supply chain, and ensure the medication needs of the people.

Representatives from PhIRDA member companies, including BeiGene, Luye Life Sciences, Fosun Pharma, Simcere Zaiming, and 3SBio, participated in the meeting. They introduced their business operations and market layout in the Netherlands and Europe, and discussed the difficulties and challenges encountered in entering these markets. PhIRDA Vice President Dr. Wu Xiaobin introduced the rapid development of China’s innovative pharmaceutical industry in recent years. New drugs R&D is closely related to national economy and people’s livelihood. Over a decade ago, China primarily produced generic drugs, with almost all innovative drugs being imported. Since the start of drug regulatory reforms in 2015, the country has built a sustainable development ecosystem for the pharmaceutical industry with policy guidance, technical support, talent resources, and funding. After years of development, the R&D capabilities of Chinese innovative pharmaceutical companies have significantly improved, placing them at the forefront of the world’s second-tier innovative drug developers. Barbara Goezinne showed great interest in the innovative transformation of Chinese pharmaceutical companies, the future of generic drug production, and international expansion. She attentively listened to the challenges and demands in clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and product market access. She expressed that the Ministry of VWS of the Netherlands is willing to listen to the opinions and suggestions of Chinese companies. The Ministry will coordinate with relevant departments, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, to provide support and is willing to work with PhIRDA and Chinese pharmaceutical companies to promote pragmatic cooperation in the industry.

Song Ruilin and Wu Xiaobin

Attendees include Karla van Rooijen, Director of Medicines & Medical Technology, Andrea Connell, Deputy Director of International Affairs, Lukas Reinieren, Coordinator of International Policy, Medicines & Medical Technology of the Ministry of VWS, Marc van der Linden, Elected Counselor for Health, Welfare and Sport of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Nico Schiettekatte, Counselor for Health, Welfare and Sport of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sunny Liang, Life Sciences & Medical Officer of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lu Xiaoti, Deputy Secretary-General of PhIRDA, Qi Yan, SVP & Head of Public Affairs, Greater China of BeiGene, Tian Liang, Head of Regulatory Affairs of Simcere Zaiming, Ge Yinkai, V.P Chief Delegate Beijing & General Manager of Uzbekistan Branch of Luye Life Sciences, Xin Minghui, Co-General Manager, Public Affairs Department of Fosun Pharma, and Zhang Hao, Head of Corporate Development of 3SBio.

Group Photo

Song Ruilin and Barbara Goezinne Exchange Gifts

The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands

The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) of the Netherlands is responsible for the country’s healthcare system. It comprises the Secretary-General, Directorate-General for Curative Care, Deputy Secretary-General, Directorate-General for Long-Term Care, Directorate-General for Health, Secretariats of councils and committees. Departments and programmes under the Directorate-General of Curative Care include Curative Care Department (CZ), Pharmaceuticals and Medical Technology Department (GMT), Patient and Health Systems Department (Pzo), and Medical Isotopes Programme Department (PMI). Curative care department is concerned with developing, implementing and evaluating policy concerning the curative care sector, which includes hospitals, mental health services (especially short-term interventions), and primary care providers (GPs and allied health professionals). The department’s goal is to promote general quality of life. It is responsible for the design and functioning of the healthcare system, notably the relationships between care providers and patients and between care providers and health insurers.