Espicom's in-depth pharmaceutical market reports are ideal for executives wanting to understand the key drivers in pharmaceutical markets and have access to a wealth of statistical data. Each report opens with an outlook section that provides analysis of the market, 5-year market forecasts, national data projections, market outlook and key developments such as regulation, pricing/reimbursement, intellectual property, health facilities and government policy. The report also provides extensive background information, population trends, health status, health expenditure, organisation & administration, hospital services, medical personnel, healthcare development, market access information, trade data for raw materials and finished products and essential industry contacts. Included with the report are 3 free quarterly updated outlook reports, enabling you to keep up to date with market developments for a year. With cost containment remaining a priority, government policy in the Netherlands has been characterised by various initiatives to liberalise pricing and modify the reimbursement scheme of pharmaceuticals covered under the compulsory health insurance fund. Another principal feature of the market in recent years has been the government's attempts to cut costs through the reduction of drug prices and measures relating to pricing and reimbursement. These measures have led to cost containment and narrowing of the price gap between proprietary and generic medicines.

The Netherlands has had a long reputation on providing a sound base for clinical research. This has been accomplished by a close working relationship between companies and universities. Research is undertaken for third parties in university centres, government and private institutions. It is within the area of biotechnology research that many pharmaceutical companies are experiencing slow progress. The main issue revolves around the government's insistence that it would like research into undesired social consequences of gene sequence patents completed before it will grant far-reaching patents.

In 2007, the overall Dutch pharmaceutical market is estimated to be worth US$346 per capita. In recent years the market has had many external constraints placed upon it; most notably was the imposition of a 40% price reduction for branded drugs with generic competition.