Conducting clinical research on medicines for alternative uses, such as for rare diseases, can be very costly when these medicines are still under patent. To establish a rationale for treatment with existing medicines, researchers must of course have sufficient access to these medicines for clinical trials. If the manufacturer is unwilling to provide the medicines at a reduced cost or free of charge, additional funding is required. Several options are available for this.

1. The Goed Gebruik Geneesmiddel (GGG) programme of ZonMw offers the Open Call. The aim of this initiative is to promote the more effective, safer, and more efficient use of existing medicines, based on relevant questions or problems arising from clinical practice. Through this scheme, medicines can be studied in patient groups for whom manufacturers conduct little or no research, including patients with rare diseases.
2. Funding from individual health insurers is another option. Some health insurers have organizational units that invest in research aimed at achieving cost-effective healthcare interventions. For example, CBusineZ, established in part by the health insurer CZ, focuses on healthcare transformation initiatives.
3. Researchers can also apply for funding from TreatMeds, the coordinating body for expensive medicines. This was set up by health insurers to promote the efficient use of high-cost medicines.
4. Another possibility is funding from BeNeFIT (Belgium-Netherlands Funding of International Trials), a collaboration between the GGG programme of ZonMw and the Belgian Federal Knowledge Centre for Health Care. BeNeFIT provides funding for clinical trials that compare the effectiveness of existing treatments already in use for a specific indication in both Belgium and the Netherlands.
5. For large-scale projects involving multiple international partners, there is the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI). However, these funding schemes are less suitable for addressing questions concerning a single product or idea.
6. Finally, ERDERA (European Rare Diseases Research Alliance) is a promising new European fund, launched in 2024 as an upgrade of the existing European Joint Programme for Rare Diseases with additional EU funding.

Be sure to also check the FAST-Forum for Funding Opportunities. There you will find initiatives such as the Drug Rediscovery Call within the GGG programme, which is specifically dedicated to repurposing efforts.