In the Netherlands over 22,000 medicines are authorised for use.
Most are for human use, and about 2,500 are veterinary medicines.
Who evaluates whether all these medicines are safe and effective?
This is the task of the MEB, the Medicines Evaluation Board...
an independent government organisation.
The MEB works together with the European Medicines Agency, the EMA...
as part of a wide European network.
For every medicine, the balance between benefits and risks needs to be evaluated.
A medicine is only authorised if there is a positive balance.
Side effects are monitored for each medicine.
If necessary, the package leaflet is altered...
or a warning will be sent to the healthcare professionals.
In extreme cases, a medicine may be removed from the market.
The MEB works closely with patients, doctors, pharmacists and scientists...
to stay in close contact with society.
Anyone who uses medicines, should be able to trust them.
The MEB is dedicated to fulfilling this mission every single day.
Good medicines used better.