Knowledge healthcare combined in Industry Group
The BarentsKrans Healthcare Industry Group combines the knowledge and expertise of our attorneys in the field of healthcare. The healthcare industry faces quite a number of changes. These do not only pertain to healthcare as such, but also to the legislation in this field. The BarentsKrans Healthcare Industry Group closely follows these changes enabling us to keep you updated on the developments that influence your day to day activities. Together with you we look for new opportunities that these developments could offer you as a player in the field of healthcare.
Members of our Healthcare Industry Group share some of their experiences:
“Property development in the healthcare sector is a complex affair. Most projects nowadays not only include purely healthcare related functions, but also housing functions. Care institutions increasingly work together with housing corporations or other players in the market. This requires attention for the co-operation between parties and the allocation of responsibilities. Additionally, procedures for obtaining building permits could be a complicating factor, for instance, due to objections raised by those living in the neighbourhood. With the expertise of our lawyers and civil law notaries, we are geared to expeditiously and skilfully guide projects in the field of healthcare, in the phase of co- operation and execution.”
Joost Huijgen – Real Estate
“Due to the large interests involved, the market introduction of generic medicines often goes hand in hand with legal warfare on various fronts: proceedings with regard to infringement or invalidation of patents and SPC’s as well as regulatory proceedings pertaining to registrations by the MEB. We were, for instance, involved in litigation regarding aciclovir, ciclosporine, omeprazol and alendronic acid.
Also in the field of medical devices, we are often consulted: in cases regarding disputes between manufacturers, complaints of customers and clashes between scientific researchers and industrial players (e.g. regarding EEG devices, heart-lung machines and breast implants).
It is equally important to set up forms of co-operation between market players. We advise on strategy, assist in negotiations and structure the joint activities by drafting and analysing license, distribution and R&D agreements, amongst others, in the life sciences industry.”
Marleen van den Horst – IP and Technology
“Within the care institutions, the people who provide care related services – such as specialists, pharmacists and nurses – and the people who facilitate such care services – managers, administrative staff and volunteers – are of major importance. These people have to perform to their maximum, both as a team and as individuals. Disputes about performance, co-operation and remuneration will have to be prevented as much as possible or resolved as soon as possible. We are often engaged by administrative and private organisations at the collective, individual and societal level.”
Caroline van Gent – Labour law
“The new Health Insurance Act has, in its short existence, already caused much uncertainty and commotion. Insurance companies, providers of healthcare and insured parties are left with many questions and problems. Recently, we served as legal counsel for a group of Dutch pensioners living abroad in a dispute against a number of large insurance companies. These companies had terminated the private health insurance of the pensioners. After having reversed the termination of the insurances, the insurance companies further substantially reduced the intended increase of the monthly premium. The market mechanism in the healthcare industry offers unexpected offensive and defensive possibilities. For instance, we advise healthcare providers about the buying power of health insurance companies. Embracing the possibilities in the new healthcare legislation is essential in this regard. It also involves setting up new structures to realise business opportunities in the field of healthcare.”
Pierre Bos – Antitrust and Public Procurement
“Also in the healthcare and the life sciences industry, mergers and acquisitions are commonplace. Members of our Corporate Law department advise foreign and Dutch clients in drafting purchase agreements, setting up joint ventures and performing due diligence surveys. Additionally, we advise our foreign clients in setting up Dutch companies and fitting them into their existing corporate structure.
For instance, we assisted a Swiss company in performing a due diligence survey of a Dutch listed biotechnology company with regard to a public bid by the latter company on all the shares of our client.”
Michiel Martin – Corporate and M&A
Information
If you would like to know more about our Industry Group, please feel free to contact us.