Parallel import

Parallel import is based on the principle of free movement of goods between the EU/EEA countries.

Parallel import of pharmaceuticals is when original medicine is imported from another EU/EEA country and sold in Denmark on par with the original manufacturer’s Danish packaging. The medicine is bought from wholesalers abroad who have been approved by the medicines agency in the respective sourcing country. All pharmaceuticals that are imported and distributed must be approved by the local medicines agencies, the Danish Medicines Agency or the central EMA (European Medicines Agency). There is no difference between parallel imported medicine and original medicine. However, parallel imported medicine is often repackaged in a new, Danish-language box or labels with Danish text are put on the box.

Parallel imported pharmaceuticals today constitute 26 % of all pharmaceuticals sold to Danish pharmacies and 7 % of those which are used in the hospital sector. In 2018, the Danish society saved 610 million DKK thanks to parallel imported pharmaceuticals.