NMa and NZa sign cooperation protocol

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) and the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) have set out their agreement on mutual cooperation in a renewed protocol. The protocol addresses issues that are relevant to the authorities' common fields of activity. Chairman of the Board at the NMa, Mr P. (Pieter) Kalbfleisch, and Chairman of the NZa, Mr F.H.G. (Frank) de Grave, signed the cooperation protocol on 10 October this year.

The cooperation protocol replaces the protocol established previously for the NMa and the College Tarieven Gezondheidszorg/ the Zorgautoriteit in oprichting and the College Toezicht Zorgverzekeringen. The new cooperation protocol provides a basis for closer cooperation on market monitoring in the healthcare sector.

The cooperation protocol stipulates agreements on division of authority and mutual information exchange. Practical and effective enforcement and decision making are fundamental to NMa and NZa cooperation. Their collaborative effort also aims to reduce the administrative burden to market parties whenever possible.

The collaboration agreement (available in Dutch only) will be published in today's edition of the Dutch Government Gazette [Staatscourant].