Caribbean Mental Health Care: The Dutch government says forensic psychiatric services across the Kingdom’s Caribbean islands are inadequate and pose risks. A high-security Dutch-style clinic is considered unfeasible, so the government is working with island partners on a regional care plan; Sint Maarten is also developing a mental health facility to serve Saba and St. Eustatius. Heat and Health: A Dutch security assessment warns that extreme heat in the Caribbean threatens public health, with added risks for vulnerable people and strained health services. Medicine Safety: Illegal retatrutide weight-loss drugs are reportedly on the rise in the Netherlands, while thousands of Novo Nordisk insulin pens were stolen from a Dutch wholesaler. Staffing Crisis: Nine Curaçao healthcare institutions have warned of shortages and are seeking immediate salary increases.
AGP Executive Report
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Unapproved Weight-Loss Drug: Hundreds of people in the Netherlands are reportedly buying experimental retatrutide online, including through TikTok. Doctors warn that buyers cannot know what is in the unverified products. Mental Health Care: Doctors say asylum seekers with serious psychiatric problems are increasingly being placed in the Netherlands’ high-security shelter in Hoogeveen, despite medical objections; three doctors have left. West Nile Virus: RIVM has confirmed five new Dutch cases as Europe faces a record season, with the virus spreading north. Medicine Supply: Thousands of insulin pens were stolen from a Dutch wholesaler, raising concerns about possible disruption to supplies. Earlier IBD Warning: New research suggests immune changes may signal inflammatory bowel disease up to a decade before diagnosis, potentially creating opportunities for earlier detection.
Early Detection: Researchers including a University Medical Centre Groningen scientist found immune-system signals that may point to inflammatory bowel disease up to a decade before diagnosis. The work could help advance earlier detection, though it is not yet a predictive test. Hospital Care: A Dutch study found brief team training helped hospital staff include patients’ values and personal circumstances in serious-illness care plans, without raising costs. Infectious Disease: RIVM reported five new West Nile virus cases in the Netherlands; the country’s death toll remains 10 amid Europe’s record season. Medicine Supply: Thousands of Novo Nordisk insulin pens were stolen from a Dutch wholesaler, raising concerns about medicine availability and supply security. Child Well-being: The Netherlands ranked first overall in UNICEF’s comparison of children’s well-being in high-income countries, despite wide differences between countries’ health, mental well-being and skills results. Veterinary Innovation: Amsterdam’s Artis Zoo and medical partners fitted a southern ground hornbill with 3D-printed upper and lower beak prostheses in a reported world first.
Amsterdam Zoo Surgery: Veterinarians fitted an injured hornbill with 3D-printed upper and lower beak prostheses in a reported world first. Food Safety: An Erasmus MC case report describes a man who developed life-threatening liver and kidney failure after eating rice left unrefrigerated overnight in a hot kitchen. Medicine Supply: Thousands of Novo Nordisk insulin pens were stolen from a Dutch wholesaler, raising concerns about disruption and access. Cancer Care: Former Nigeria coach Clemens Westerhof, 86, is being treated for colon cancer at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem; his family says he is critically ill and is seeking a transfer. Youth Health: Bonaire’s “Nothing Nada Nix18” campaign urges adults and families to help prevent alcohol use among under-18s.
Cancer Care: Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof, 86, is in critical condition at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem after a colon cancer diagnosis. His family is seeking further treatment options, including a possible transfer to Amsterdam or Germany. Food Safety: An Erasmus MC case report describes a young man who developed acute liver and kidney failure after eating cooked rice left unrefrigerated overnight in a hot kitchen. Medicine Supply: Thousands of Novo Nordisk insulin pens were stolen from a Dutch wholesaler, raising concerns about the security of medicine distribution. Dutch Biotech: Leiden-based Pharming reported positive Phase II results for leniolisib in patients with genetic primary immunodeficiencies. Veterinary Innovation: Amsterdam’s Artis Zoo and Utrecht University fitted a hornbill with 3D-printed upper and lower beak prostheses in a procedure believed to be a world first.
Medicine Safety: Thousands of Novo Nordisk insulin pens stolen from a Dutch wholesaler could enter illegal markets. The company warns they may be mis-sold as weight-loss drugs; using insulin without diabetes can trigger dangerously low blood sugar. West Nile: The RIVM confirmed five new Dutch cases, with the country’s death toll remaining at 10 amid Europe’s record season. Cancer Care: Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof, 86, is in critical condition with colon cancer at Arnhem’s Rijnstate Hospital. Player Health: Dutch club doctors say snus use is widespread among professional footballers and is also appearing among youth players, raising concerns about nicotine addiction. Dutch Research: Hubrecht Institute scientists found that the timing of signals in gut cells helps shape the mix of intestinal cell types, offering new clues about inflammation and cancer. Maternity Services: The Netherlands plans to end the 13-week pregnancy ultrasound from 2028.
Dutch Caribbean Care: Nine Curaçao healthcare institutions warn that staff shortages and outdated pay are straining services. They are seeking urgent funding and salary increases. Primary Care: HealthSpan Partners plans to acquire Irish GP group Centric Health, which has operated in the Netherlands since 2020; the company says its Dutch practices and patient care will be unaffected. West Nile: RIVM confirmed five new cases in the Netherlands, with the national death toll still at 10, amid Europe’s record season for the virus. Pregnancy Care: The Netherlands plans to end its 13-week pregnancy ultrasound from 2028.
Cancer Care: Mankind Pharma will acquire a 70% stake in Belgian biotech Armed Cell Therapeutics for €48 million through its Dutch subsidiary. The company is developing CAR-T therapies for lymphoma and small-cell lung cancer. Infectious Disease: The Netherlands has recorded five new West Nile virus cases, with the country’s death toll still at 10, as Europe reports its worst season on record: 1,715 infections and 130 deaths. Screening Research: A Dutch-Belgian study found that lung cancers detected by low-dose CT had features linked to adenocarcinoma, including smaller size and pleural attachment. Women’s Health: Two-thirds of women in the Netherlands say they sometimes feel unheard by healthcare providers. Separately, the country plans to end the 13-week pregnancy ultrasound from 2028.
West Nile: The Netherlands has recorded 59 West Nile virus cases and 10 deaths this year, as infections spread farther north across Europe. Most people have no symptoms, but severe illness can affect the nervous system. Health authorities advise using mosquito repellent, covering up in the evening and fitting window screens. Diet and Cancer: A study of more than 460,000 US adults, involving Dutch researchers, found no overall link between ultra-processed food intake and bowel cancer. Processed meats were linked to higher risk, while whole grains and dairy were associated with lower risk. Heart Care Research: University Medical Center Groningen and Philips are leading a European project to test whether at-home ECG monitoring can help spot heart problems early in people recently discharged after a heart event. Patient Experience: A survey found that two-thirds of women in the Netherlands sometimes feel unheard by healthcare providers, highlighting a persistent gap in patient communication.
Migraine Treatment: Eindhoven-based Salvia BioElectronics has implanted the first U.S. participant in a pivotal trial of its under-skin neuromodulation system for resistant migraine. The study aims to enroll about 150 adults across more than 20 sites. Heart Health: UMCG and Philips have launched a five-year, €27.6 million European research programme involving 22 studies and more than 14,000 patients, testing earlier, personalised cardiovascular care. Digital Privacy: The Consumentenbond is seeking changes to Meta’s AI camera glasses—or a sales ban in the Netherlands—over recordings that may expose sensitive information, including health data. A court hearing is set for November 26. Pregnancy Care: The Netherlands plans to end the 13-week ultrasound for pregnant women from 2028.
Cybersecurity: Dutch grocery giant Ahold Delhaize took some systems offline after a network incident, disrupting websites and apps for several of its chains abroad; stores and pharmacies remain open. Dutch Biotech: Pharming reported positive Phase II results for leniolisib in patients with rare genetic immune disorders, presenting the findings at a European immunology meeting. Long COVID Care: A Dutch court ruled the government may halt a controversial Long COVID treatment. Pregnancy Care: The Netherlands plans to end the 13-week pregnancy ultrasound from 2028. Medical Cannabis: Bedrocan’s Dutch entities were declared bankrupt.
Pregnancy Care: The Netherlands plans to stop offering the 13-week pregnancy ultrasound from 2028. Women’s Health: A survey found two in three women in the Netherlands sometimes feel unheard by healthcare providers, raising concerns about communication and patient involvement. Long Covid: A court has ruled the Dutch government may halt a controversial treatment, leaving patients and advocates facing uncertainty. Public Health: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has passed 9,000 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths; linked cases have also been reported in the Netherlands. Medical Cannabis: Bedrocan’s Dutch entities have been declared bankrupt, putting the future of the country’s established medical cannabis supplier in focus.
Pregnancy Care: The Netherlands will end its 13-week ultrasound pilot from January 2028, after the Health Council found the scan could cause unnecessary anxiety through false alarms while missing some abnormalities. Patient Experience: A survey found that two-thirds of women in the Netherlands sometimes feel unheard by healthcare workers. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak has sickened more than 160 people across Europe, including in the Netherlands; investigators suspect contaminated produce, with cherry tomatoes mentioned by some patients. Long Covid: A Dutch court has ruled the government may halt a controversial Long Covid treatment.
Women’s Health: Two-thirds of women in the Netherlands say they sometimes feel unheard by healthcare providers, a survey of 14,000 women found. Many want better information and research on issues such as menopause. Digital Disruption: Ahold Delhaize took several systems offline after a cybersecurity incident, knocking out websites and online grocery services for brands including Albert Heijn. Its stores remained open. Long Covid Care: A Dutch court ruled the government may halt a controversial Long Covid treatment, a decision with direct consequences for patients relying on the programme. Medicinal Cannabis: The Netherlands’ only legal medicinal cannabis grower has gone bankrupt, raising questions about the future of domestic production.
Teenage Pregnancy: Abortions among girls under 15 rose to 163 in 2025, 2.5 times the previous year’s total, Dutch inspectorate figures show. Abortions among 15- to 19-year-olds rose 6% to 2,918. Child Protection: D66 proposes that specialist teams interview children within 48 hours when abuse is suspected, even without parental consent. The draft bill is open for consultation. Healthy Schools: UNICEF says nine in 10 secondary schools in Dutch cities are near sellers of unhealthy food, and more than three-quarters of food and drinks bought by 12- to 17-year-olds are unhealthy. Long Covid Care: A Dutch court ruled the government may halt a controversial Long Covid treatment. Infectious Disease: A newly reported West Nile virus death brings the Netherlands’ toll to 10.
Long Covid Care: A Dutch court upheld the health inspectorate’s order for a Velsen-Noord clinic to stop home lidocaine injections for long Covid by October 23, citing a lack of scientific support and concerns about patient safety. West Nile: France has reported a record 161 locally acquired cases this season, including five deaths whose link to the virus is unclear; the Netherlands’ toll has also reached 10. Nutrition and Ageing: A small Maastricht University study found that 60 grams of peanuts daily for 16 weeks improved the brain’s response to insulin in adults aged 60–75, in regions linked to memory. Philips Recall: The Dutch Enterprise Chamber rejected shareholders’ request for an in-depth inquiry into Philips’ handling of its sleep-apnea device recall, involving foam that could crumble and release potentially harmful chemicals.
Philips Recall: A Dutch court rejected shareholders’ bid to investigate Philips’ handling of its 2021 sleep-apnea device recall, finding no basis to conclude its board knew of the foam risks too late. The recall affected about 15 million devices. Medical Ethics: Doctors gathered in Rotterdam during the World Medical Association meeting to call for the Israeli Medical Association’s suspension, alleging it failed to uphold professional ethics amid the destruction of healthcare in Gaza. The WMA also adopted a policy to combat false health information. Medicinal Cannabis: The Netherlands’ only legal medicinal cannabis producer has gone bankrupt, raising questions about the future of domestic supply.
Philips Recall: An Amsterdam court rejected shareholders’ call for an inquiry into Philips’ handling of its sleep-apnea device recall, finding no indication executives knew of the risks earlier or misled investors. Medical Standards: At its Rotterdam assembly, the World Medical Association adopted its first policy on health misinformation, urging action from governments, tech companies and doctors. Separately, hundreds of physicians protested outside the summit, calling for Israel’s medical association to be suspended. Heart Health: Leiden University Medical Center researchers say a blood-test score can predict future heart disease and improve after a three-month diet and exercise programme. Nicotine Policy: The Netherlands joined seven EU countries urging a freeze on new nicotine products, saying curbs could help reduce use and support the bloc’s tobacco-control goals.
Prevention Research: Leiden University Medical Center researchers say a blood-test score can predict future heart disease and mortality, and improved after a three-month diet and exercise programme. Prostate Care: An AI tool tested on scans from patients in the Netherlands, Germany and the US could have avoided nearly 19% of prostate biopsies while maintaining 98.4% sensitivity for significant cancer. Nicotine Policy: The Netherlands is among eight EU countries urging a freeze on new nicotine products, arguing it could curb use; critics warn tighter rules may push demand towards illicit markets. Infectious Disease: The Netherlands’ West Nile virus death toll has reached 10. Medicinal Cannabis: The country’s only legal medicinal cannabis grower has gone bankrupt, putting the future of domestic production in question.
Prostate Cancer: A multicentre study including Dutch patients found that AI-assisted MRI assessments could avoid nearly one in five prostate biopsies while maintaining high sensitivity for significant cancer. Medicinal Cannabis: The Netherlands’ only legal medicinal cannabis grower has gone bankrupt, raising concern about supply for patients. West Nile Virus: A new death brings the Netherlands’ reported toll to 10. Healthy Cities: Dutch researchers say unhealthy food outlets dominate city neighbourhoods, prompting calls for municipalities to intervene.
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