What are parallel imports

What is parallel imported medicine?
Parallel imported medicine is 100% identical to the original medicine - even if the product is sold under a different name. Parallel imports are possible because the manufacturers of original medicines sell their products at different prices within the EU in order to maximize their profits.

At Orifarm we import original pharmaceuticals from EU-countries at low prices. We then sell them at lower prices than the original manufacturers in countries where prices are high. The result is original medicine at fair prices in more EU countries.

A safe and regulated business
The practice of parallel importing pharmaceuticals is legitimized by the European Commission and is based on the free movement of goods within the Internal Market. However, this does not mean that everybody is allowed to parallel import pharmaceuticals. We are authorized by both the European and national authorities in each specific country that we operate in to import, repackage and market pharmaceuticals. We must also meet the same legislative demands regarding high safety and quality as our more expensive counterparts.

To help the consumers we repackage the pharmaceuticals in practical and informative packages with patient information and inserts in the national language. Everything is approved by the national authorities, which means that there is no difference for the consumer – except from the price.

The result is savings
The results of parallel imported pharmaceuticals justify our presence on the market. We bring savings to consumers and society. The direct and visible savings occur when we sell the identical medicine at a cheaper price. In just four European countries the savings in 2004 were € 441.5 million¹.

In addition to this, the very presence of parallel imports ensures that the original manufacturers of medicines do not increase their prices. This is the indirect effect of parallel imports.

(1) Parallel imported pharmaceuticals mean large savings for consumers and society. In 2004 four EU countries – Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom – saved approximately € 441.5 million through parallel imports (source: Professor Keld Møller Petersen et al, “The economic impact of parallel import of pharmaceuticals”, University of Southern Denmark, 2004).