Assessing the benefits and risks of drug efficacy

21 May 2026 - Utrecht

When a pharmaceutical company wants to market a drug, it submits the results of years of research to the MEB for review. How do we handle such a huge dossier? And more importantly, how do we assess whether these results guarantee that a drug is both effective and safe? MEB assessors and regulatory project leaders give you an insight into their work: assessing a new drug is not a matter of ticking off a checklist. It is a complex balancing of benefits and risks, performed by absolute experts. You will be challenged to think about real-world examples. Do you have what it takes to decide on patient safety?

About CBG | MEB

Every year, more than 11 million people in the Netherlands use medications prescribed by a doctor. And this number increases even further if you include over-the counter medicines. Our organization, the Medicines Evaluation Board is responsible for approving drugs for the Dutch market and has an important advisory role within the EMA when it comes to products for the European market. The Board consists of 17 experts who, in addition to their work for the MEB, often hold positions in which they treat patients in practice. College decisions are prepared by our 500 MEB employees who are involved in decision-making on a daily basis.

Stefan Verweij | Data Scientist | CBG | MEB

Combining a role as data scientist at the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG-MEB) with a PhD project at the University of Groningen (RUG), specializing on the role of Real world evidence (RWE) in regulatory decision making. Special interests are RWE Methodology, AI/ML and data governance.

FULL PROGRAMME HERE