This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 8/16/2019

Overview

The Netherlands ranks third as a near-term, export destination for U.S. health IT and medical device exports, according to the International Trade Administration’s 2015-2018 Health IT and the 2016 Medical Devices Top Market Reports.  According to the Dutch Ministry of Health and Environment, healthcare spending will increase drastically in the coming years.  Most of this spending will be on elderly care, as the number of people in this age group is growing rapidly.  The Dutch are aware that significant savings can be made by investing in this sector.  Educating people on the use of IT-tools is a priority.  Annual savings of $3.2 billion are expected from the effective use of IT-tools, while unnecessary hospitalization and deaths can be reduced by 50 percent.

It can be challenging for foreign companies to navigate the complex Dutch healthcare landscape, stay apprised of changes, and learn how to take advantage of opportunities.  Although the Netherlands is a member of the EU, Dutch healthcare policy is subject to national regulations as well.  The regulatory environment for data privacy is very strict.  Language barriers and the fact that Dutch healthcare providers can be reluctant to adopt foreign IT products are additional challenges.

U.S. Healthcare Related Export to the Netherlands
             Unit:  USD thousands

End-Use Code

Value 2016

Value 2017

Value 2018

(21610) Medicinal Equipment

3,493,480

3,524,856

4,090,804

(40100) Pharmaceutical Preparations

4,320,354

3,784,859

4,952,675

Total

7,813,834

7,309,715

9,043,479

Source: U.S. Census Bureau – Foreign Trade Statistics.


Leading Sub-Sectors

Public sector spending on ICT is highest in the “health and welfare care” subsector.   Total spending on ICT health and welfare care was $2.3 billion in 2014, according to ICT-Marktmonitor.  More recent figures are unavailable due to the discontinuation of this report, but the amount was expected to increase consistently until 2020.

According to KPMG’s 2017 MedTech market report, upcoming trends in the Dutch e-health sector are use of wearable devices, the Internet of Things, cloud-based big data analytics, smart apps, and blockchain technology.


Opportunities

The Netherlands is a frontrunner in the field of online medical data, and most of Dutch medical records is available to physicians online. 
In addition, it is one of the most “wired” countries in the world.  According to the Dutch eHealth Monitor 2017, 94 percent of healthcare consumers use the Internet.  The country ranks sixth in the Network Readiness Index of the World Economic Forum, which measures the performance of countries in leveraging information and communications technologies to boost competitiveness, innovation and well-being.

With the presence of this supportive digital infrastructure, opportunities exist for U.S. suppliers that can assist the Dutch government with the three short-term goals they have set for e-health:

  1. Access to medical records:  By 2019, at least 80 percent of the chronically ill should have direct access to his/her medical records and at least 40 percent of the other Dutch healthcare patients should have access.

  2. Self-measuring:  By 2019, 75 percent of the chronically ill and elderly should be able to measure their own health independently and share these measurements with their healthcare provider.  Examples include the ability to measure blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

  3. Online contact with healthcare Providers:  By 2019, people who receive care and support at home have the option to contact a healthcare provider 24/7.

 

Web Resources

Market Analyses:                2016 Top Markets Report – Health IT

 

                                                2016 Top Markets Report - Medical Devices

                                                Healthcare Technology Resource Guide 2017

Trade Shows:                       World of Healthcare
September 26, 2019 | Rotterdam, The Netherlands
World of Healthcare website

Associations:                       Nictiz
Dutch expertise center that promotes the development of health IT.
Nictiz website

NIVEL Institute
Dutch research institute for the healthcare sector.
NIVEL Institute website

SME Resources:                   Posted on the website of the Global Healthcare Technologies Team



Contact:                                Natasha Keylard, Commercial Specialist                                  
U.S. Commercial Service – The Netherlands
Natasha.keylard@trade.gov | +31 70 310 2279

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.