Medical products: new and needed! An investment strategy for research into innovative and relevant medical products

The health service is facing enormous challenges. New and innovative medical products will be essential if we are to cope with these challenges. New medical products are important tools in the effort to achieve goals such as better care, more efficient care, and greater labour productivity. In view of this, and given his special responsibility for the Dutch health service, it is therefore not surprising that the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport has asked the Advisory Committee on Health Research (RGO) to recommend specific points for inclusion in a medical products research agenda. In this advisory report ‘medical products’ are defined as: drugs, medical devices related to diagnosis and care, and tissue replacement products.