New policy on Netherlands' implementation of DHPCs

21 December 2015

The Netherlands’ Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) last week adopted a policy for the national implementation of Direct Health Care Professional Communications (DHPCs).

The most important elements in the policy are:

From now on, DHPCs will be drafted without company logos (on envelope or letter).
In addition to the existing ‘Orange Hand Envelope,’ a ‘white hand envelope’ will be introduced to make DHPCs more recognizable. The MEB is currently developing the policy for the ‘white hand envelope’ with the parties involved. The MEB strives to complete this process in 2016. All information about the ‘white hand envelope’ has therefore been highlighted in yellow in the policy document and the ‘white hand envelope’ does not need to be used at the moment. The policy document will be amended as soon as the practical issues regarding the ‘white hand envelope’ have been completed.
The professional organizations of the relevant health care professionals will be informed (if necessary) about a scheduled DHPC during the national implementation phase.
In addition to the paper version of the DHPC, the MEB strives towards digital distribution of DHPCs.
A policy has been included for a DHPC involving more than one product.

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