Medicine Use Team
The ‘Better Use' programme was in operation within the Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) between 2017 and the start of 2023. This programme was emblematic of the MEB’s strategic ambition to promote the proper usage of medicines. Improving the information provided to healthcare providers (prescribers and pharmacists, in particular) was a key aspect of this strategy.
For every medicine the MEB prepares a summary of product characteristics (SmPC) and a patient information leaflet. These documents provide reliable, impartial information on medicines. Research conducted by NIVEL has revealed that 89% of Dutch users of medicines consult and have confidence in the SmPC and the patient information leaflet, but that not everyone understands the information provided in them. One area for potential improvement is therefore improving the clarity and comprehensibility of the official patient information leaflet. A clearer link between the information provided on medicines and the field of healthcare would also improve information provision.
The programme focused on making clear, comprehensible information regarding the good use of medicines available to all Dutch people. The programme focused on two priorities: improved access to product information and improved information for patients.
Improved information would include improving the official patient information leaflet, for example, making it easier to understand and providing it in other formats. Greater accessibility includes making information on medicines such as the summary of Product Characteristics and the patient information leaflet easier to access. This will enable both patients and those working in the field to search for, find, consult and make use of information about medicines.
The programme ended on 1 February 2023. The activities included in the programme are continuing and are included in the routine tasks of the MEB. You can read more about this on the Medicines used better page.