About us
Gezonde scepsis (healthy skepticism) is an initiative of Dutch Institute for Rational Use of Medicine. The institute is an independent organisation whose activities include counselling and providing support to local groups of pharmacists and doctors (FTOs), to help improve pharmacotherapy throughout the Netherlands.
Gezonde scepsis is supported by the Netherlands Health Care Inspectorate (IGZ), the Ministery of Health (VWS) and the Dutch Institute for Rational Use of Medicine. IGZ has commissioned Gezonde scepsis to perform a research and implementation programme.
We also develop written materials to facilitate FTO sessions, books containing case studies, and brochures for patients and medical staff. Other activities include project management, training and education (for pharmacists, doctors, nursing homes and others), policy advice, applied research, risk assessments, prescription feedback, projects regarding the transfer between general practitioners and hospitals, and informing patients and the public. In 2004, we launched a website www.meldpuntmedicijnen.nl to allow patients to report their experiences using medicine.
Our staff of 50 employees includes 40 counsellors and project managers, most of whom have an academic degree in health studies. Among our most important clients are the Dutch Ministry of Health, medical insurance companies, medical umbrella organisations and patients' organisations.
The Dutch Institute for Rational Use of Medicine aims for proper, efficient, safe and economic use of medicine. This website 'Gezonde scepsis' aims to shed light on the widespread but sometimes inappropriate and misleading marketing influence of pharmaceutical companies. It is targeted at professional workers in health organisations and medical practices, and is designed to inform them about the diverse methods used by pharmaceutical companies to promote their products, such as newly invented incentives to distribute drugs. Raising awareness and providing support for like-minded individuals and organisations is one way in which we attempt to achieve our goal.
As the first website of its kind in the Netherlands 'Gezonde scepsis' has been developed by the Dutch Institute for Rational Use of Medicine in response to similar initiatives in Australia (Healthy Skepticism), the USA and the UK (NoFreeLunch) and Italy. Healthy Skepticism is an international organisation based in Australia with members in many countries. NoFreeLunch is based in the USA but is also international, it has national branches in the UK and Italy. NoFreeLunch is focused on gifts for doctors from drug companies. Healthy Skepticism has a wider focus on countering misleading drug promotion.
Such initiatives have generated a mixture of positive and negative responses. 'Gezonde scepsis' offers not only the latest news about the marketing influence of pharmaceutical companies, but also many web-links and publications on related subjects.
Disclaimer
The Dutch Institute for Rational Use of Medicine has taken the utmost care in preparing and presenting the contents of this website. However, we assume no liability for any inaccurate or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon, nor for any information posted on the Forum by others.
Design Dickhoff Design
Development LaVerbe
© 2010 Stichting Instituut voor Verantwoord Medicijngebruik
