Prinses Máxima Centrum

General information

How can I get to the Princess Máxima Center?

The Princess Máxima Center is easily accessible by public transport. We are also easily accessible by car. You will find all the information you need on this page.

What accommodation options are available to family members?

Each child has their own room. There is an area for the child and an area for the parent/guardian, connected by a lockable door. So you can stay in the room with your child. In addition to these parent-child rooms in the Princess Máxima Center itself, parents and families can also make use of the nearby Ronald McDonald House.

I have to take my child to the Princess Máxima Center and the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital. How can and should I use the bridge?

If you need to be in both centers, you can use the bridge connection during office hours. Outside office hours, the bridge can only be accessed with an access pass. You will then be accompanied by an employee. The bridge is there to provide easy access to the operating rooms or to undergo other medical procedures at the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital from the Princess Máxima Center. And vice versa, of course.

About us

Why was the Princess Máxima Center established?

Every year 600 children get cancer in the Netherlands. There are different types of cancer, and most forms of childhood cancer only occur between 5 and 25 times a year. Research and treatment are now being carried out by specialists in seven different university hospitals. The treatments are also becoming increasingly complex. This fragmented approach makes it more difficult to build up knowledge and experience and to train specialists. The concentration of care and research at one location prevents this fragmentation. It also offers financial benefits.

For whom is the Princess Máxima Center ?

From June 1, 2018, all children in the Netherlands who are being treated for cancer will be treated at the Princess Máxima Center. Children who are under control after the treatment are also very welcome. Parents/children who only come to the hospital for check-ups can coordinate with their pediatric oncologist as to where the best place is for the check-up.

Collaboration with pharmaceutical companies

Why does the Máxima Center work together with pharmaceutical companies?

New medicines are usually developed for adults first. However, we want them to be available for children, too.

To be able to give medicines to children safely and in the right dose, they will have to be studied in children first.

Moreover, insurers will only reimburse medicines after they have been tested and can be prescribed safely. Because the medicines are developed by pharmaceutical companies, we need to cooperate with them.

Why do pharmaceutical companies study new medicines?

Pharmaceutical companies develop new medicines to better cure diseases.

How does it work, studying new medicines and children?

Under European legislation, pharmaceutical companies must also study new medicines in children (Pediatric Investigational Plan).

If they do, their patent will be extended and they make money for a longer period of time from prescribing the new medicine (to adults).

In this way they are reimbursed for the costs of researching the medicine in children.

Can parents and children influence the study of new medicines in children?

In Europe, parents and children influence research into new medicines through parent representation in the Paediatric Committee (PDCO) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Parents also participate in the ITCC (Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer) and the Accelerate-platform of ITCC and SIOP, the European pediatric oncology organization. They look at which medicine trials involving children seem the most promising and are therefore given priority. Parents and children can always decide not to take part in a trial. Participation is always voluntary. More information about scientific research in the Princess Máxima Center can be found here.

Parents and children always sign a consent form to confirm that they take part in the trial and that their data may be used.

Are pharmaceutical companies always needed for research into new medicines?

Research into new medicines may also be started by doctors (investigator-initiated trials). But in that case, too, the medicine is provided by a pharmaceutical company and the investigators are required to share details on the efficacy and any adverse effects with the company.

Research into new medicines is very expensive, as it has to meet all kinds of laws and regulations. Hospitals and researchers usually cannot afford these costs.

How are pharmaceutical companies monitored when they conduct research?

Pharmaceutical companies have to comply with many European and Dutch laws and regulations before starting a trial.
They always need the consent of health authorities and the medical ethics review committee.
Authorities, such as the Inspectorate for Health and Youth Care, may carry out inspections.
If something happens during a trial, a pharmaceutical company must immediately report it to the authorities and the medical ethics review committee. The trial may be discontinued as a result.

Does the Máxima Center earn money from the cooperation with pharmaceutical companies?

If the Máxima Center conducts a trial together with a pharmaceutical company, it receives a fee for this.
The Máxima Center also receives a fee for each child that takes part in a trial at the Máxima Center. It usually only concerns a few children per trial.
The money earned in this way is used to write treatment protocols, develop information for children and parents, ask permission from the medical ethics review committee, train staff, inform professionals, etc.
The pharmaceutical company can also 'hire' the Máxima Center's Trial and Data Center to coordinate a trial in multiple countries.

Do children/parents who take part in a trial receive compensation?

Children/parents do not receive compensation for taking part in a trial. We do not want compensation to influence the decision on whether or not to participate in the trial and want to avoid differences between trials.
Children do get a research bead for their Kanjerketting necklace every time they take part in a trial.
Children/parents are entitled to a travel allowance if they have to come to the Máxima Center especially for the trial.

What happens with any money left after a trial sponsored by a pharmaceutical company?

The Máxima Center uses this money for other trials. For instance a trial that does not involve a pharmaceutical company but is conducted by our investigators to study which treatment or medicine is best for children.

Who owns the personal data on a child who participates in a trial involving new medicines?

The pharmaceutical company that collects all research data and submits these to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) owns the data. The data are coded. The pharmaceutical company does not know to which child the data belong.

The coded data are kept at the Máxima Center.

There are only a few people at the Máxima Center who can access the data.

Can pharmaceutical companies stop a trial if they are not happy with the results?

In the Netherlands, a pharmaceutical company cannot independently stop a trial if it does not like the results.
They can stop a trial early if there are unexpected serious adverse effects or if it turns out that the medicine is not working properly.
There are fixed moments in every trial to check whether it is proceeding safely. When a trial is not safe, it will be modified or terminated.
The termination of an investigation is always submitted to the authorities and the medical ethics review committee. They test whether there is a good reason to terminate the trial.

Who decides in the Máxima Center whether a child can participate in research into a new medicine?

The Trial and Data Center has a number of trials ‘open’. Only children who meet all the requirements are allowed to take part in these trials.
In the weekly tumor board, the doctors discuss whether a child can take part in a trial.
The decision on whether or not to take part always lies with the child and parents. Participation is never mandatory.

What happens if the doctor thinks that a child can benefit from a medicine that is not officially available yet and for which no trial is underway at the Máxima Center?

We ask the pharmaceutical company whether they are willing to make the medicine available within the 'Named Patient Program'. It that case, we do not have to pay for it and share data on the efficacy and possible adverse effects with the company.
The use of medicines within the Named Patient Program is always done with the consent of the child and parents.
Sometimes a medicine may be available for adults and there is strong evidence based on research that it also works for children. The health insurance company can issue an authorization so that we can prescribe the medicine and get it reimbursed.
While this is not an official trial, we will also report data on the efficacy and adverse effects to the pharmaceutical company.
The use of a non-registered medicine is also subject to consent from the child and parents.

Gifting policy

How does the Princess Máxima Center manage gifts, donations and treats?

At the Princess Máxima Center, children, brothers and sisters and parents are offered various gifts, products or services throughout the year, such as toys, sweets or a gift. Our starting point is that receiving a gift should remain special. In addition, we want to give families the control they need in relation to the home situation.

When do children in the Princess Máxima Center receive presents?

Children receive presents on their birthday and at Saint Nicholas. One of the partners of the Princess Máxima Center, a large toy specialist, donates all gifts as well as play and distraction materials for the Center. Sometimes children also receive a gift because it supports the medical pedagogical process or because it is part of an activity or holiday. Such as bubble blowing and an ice cream.

I want to gift someone in the Princess Máxima Center

If you would like to gift someone in the Princess Máxima Center or make a donation, please contact the Princess Máxima Center Foundation. A financial gift is preferred over donations in kind. You can reach the Foundation at: foundation@prinsesmaximacentrum.nl. If you would like to start an action, please go to www.maximaalinactie.nl.

May I hand out treats at the Princess Máxima Center?

Children and parents regularly hand out treats to children on the ward, outpatient clinic or day care. By doing so they express their joy, thanks or support. At the Máxima Center we are cautious with treats. Because it can be uncomfortable for children who will not get better. Or uncomfortable for children who have to remain sober. We hope that children and parents understand this.

Frequently Asked Questions

General information

About us

Collaboration with pharmaceutical companies

Gifting policy