Science and scientific data form the foundation for our statutory tasks at the MEB and the scientific analysis of data is actually an important basis for our assessments of medicines. The process of assessing medicines often leads to research questions which are not restricted to a single dossier and instead affect the entire regulatory system. We look for answers to these questions by conducting scientific research in the domain of ‘Regulatory Science’.
System improvement and innovation
The MEB's scientific program focuses on system improvement and innovation: optimizing our current work processes, deregulation of our regulatory system through constant review and responding to developments with added value for the MEB's role and task. These scientific activities serve several purposes:
- To continue to ensure the availability and accessibility of medicines for patients by having the latest scientific insights, innovations, tools and expertise for the high-quality assessment of medicines.
- To innovate and improve our regulatory system through continuous assessment of internal regulations and by influencing international guidelines and policy.
- To make the organisation future-proof by anticipating and contributing to new, innovative developments.
- To anchor and secure knowledge in our work by translating scientific insights and results into daily (assessment) practice.
- To inspire and help (potential) employees develop by enabling them to combine research, supervision or educational activities with their primary work.
- To contribute to a strong (inter)national scientific and regulatory network by combining our own expertise with the knowledge and expertise of academic groups and other knowledge institutes and by strengthening our partnerships.
Cooperation
Regulatory Science is a cross-border phenomenon and extends across the entire international regulatory system. That is why, when carrying out scientific activities, we frequently collaborate with academic groups, other scientific knowledge institutions and other authorities in our network (national medicines authorities and the European Medicines Agency).
We are also a member of various public-private partnerships, such as the Regulatory Science Network Netherlands (RSNN), Horizon Europe and Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI) projects, in which patient representatives and pharmaceutical umbrella organisations participate. Thanks to this continuous cooperation with, and knowledge sharing and exchanges within our network, we are able to implement solutions which make the process of regulating medicines faster, more efficient and more flexible.
In addition, the MEB organises the MEB Science Day every year to bring together representatives from medicine authorities, healthcare, the world of academia and industry.
Regulatory Science: Magazine and LinkedIn
Between 2017 and 2022 the MEB has published at least two editions of the Regulatory Science Magazine each year to keep you updated on recent highlights of regulatory science. To share information more frequently, we started a showcase LinkedIn page at the end of 2022. Through this LinkedIn page we now keep you updated about regulatory science and recent publications, share interviews, and the latest information on scientific events.
Research
Various PhD students and other university students are performing research at the MEB. PhD students divide their time between their research and helping to assess medicine dossiers. This creates an excellent link between science and assessment in practice. The Science Committee decides which research the MEB should be involved in and which research projects are eligible for funding and also guarantees scientific quality during the various research procedures.
