On January 5, 2021, Dr. Song Ruilin, Executive President of China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association (herein after referred to as PhIRDA) met with Peter A. Bootsma, Former Counselor of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and Nico Schiettekatte, New Counselor of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. They had a fruitful conversation on facilitating the communication of pharmaceutical industry between China and Netherlands and promoting the multiple recognition of COVID-19 vaccines among China, Netherlands and Europe.

Dr. Song expressed warm welcome to the Counselors and his heartful blessing to Mr. Peter. He spoke highly of the achievements and cooperation between PhIRDA and the Dutch Embassy during Mr. Peter's tenure, and looked forward to deepening the cooperation to jointly promote the exchange and development of the pharmaceutical industry between China and the Netherlands. Dr. Song said that the current world political and economic situation is facing tremendous changes, and the successful signing of theChina-EU Investment Treatyhas far-reaching significance for the deepening of cooperation between China and Europe. China and the Netherlands should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in pharmaceutical innovation and investment industry, create an exchange and dialogue platform for experts and entrepreneurs in the pharmaceutical industry of the two countries, take advantage of the location advantage of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) moving to Amsterdam, and give full play to the Netherlands’ outstanding advantages in R&D and pharmaceutical industry to help the development of global pharmaceutical industry. In response to the current pandemic and vaccine R&D, Dr. Song believes that to break the international travel restrictions and regional isolation caused by the epidemic, it is necessary to establish an international mutual recognition system for vaccine effectiveness and adopt strict pandemic prevention measures. The World Health Organization (WHO) should play a leading role in this process.

Mr. Peter highly appreciates Dr. Song’s opinions, and said that the cooperation and achievements of the Dutch Embassy and PhIRDA played a prominent role as a model. The Dutch Embassy will continue to recommend Dutch experts in the field of medicine and high-quality pharmaceutical innovation enterprises to participate in the international activities organized by PhIRDA. The Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG) and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) have been maintaining close communication and cooperation. After EMA moves to Amsterdam, the Netherlands will serve as a hub for liaison between Europe and the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory authorities of other countries in the world and play a more important role in mutual recognition mechanism of pharmaceutical products and other aspects.

Counselor Nico stated that the Dutch Embassy will continue to maintain a good cooperative relationship with PhIRDA during his tenure and promote non-governmental exchanges and cooperation of the pharmaceutical industry between China and the Netherlands. The establishment of the COVID-19 vaccine multiple recognition system will also accelerate the restoration of international economic order, reduce obstacles to international pharmaceutical R&D and help the world to overcome the pandemic together.

The meeting deepened the cooperation and communication of pharmaceutical innovation and R&D between China and the Netherlands, laying a solid foundation for the promotion of deeper cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry of the two countries in the future. Ms. Liang Yan, Life Science and Health Officer of the Department of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms. Lu Xiaoti, Deputy Secretary-General of PhIRDA, Ms. Ruan Xinxin, Deputy Director of International Affairs of PhIRDA and Mr. Li Gen, Project Manager of International Affairs of PhIRDA participated in the meeting.

Meeting between PhIRDA and Dutch Embassy