Women continue to receive medications designed primarily for men, leading to a significantly higher risk of severe side effects and longer recovery times, according to Dutch political party D66. Party leader Rob Jetten announced Saturday that D66 is pushing for reforms to address this issue, unveiling an action plan during a party gathering in Utrecht marking the anniversary of the death of former Health Minister Els Borst.
Jetten emphasized that Borst, a physician by training, had championed a healthcare system that was “fair, accessible, and based on scientific evidence.” However, he noted that one persistent issue is that medications are typically tested on male subjects, despite research showing that women’s bodies process drugs differently.
“The effects of this oversight are severe,” Jetten said. “Women…