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Parallel imports of patented drugs: a critical reflexion.
Basel, 22 August 2008
Discussion in the European Union is considerably more critical towards parallel imports of patented drugs than it used to be. Thomas Cueni, Secretary General of Interpharma, mentions three main reasons: "One reason certainly is that in ‘cheap’ countries, the source of exports, there have been repeated supply bottlenecks of important drugs because of hoarding by parallel dealers. There are drugs that are re-exported directly from the bonded warehouse at the airport or port. Another problem is that, due to the free movement of goods, pharmaceutical companies can no longer afford to differentiate their prices according to purchasing power, because the products would immediately migrate to wealthier countries. Poorer countries cannot necessarily afford this ‘European’ price, especially for highly innovative drugs, and therefore have a rather critical opinion of parallel trade. But also those countries importing goods increasingly find that they don’t really profit much. A former British health minister once said: ‘For every pound I save, I lose five.’
The third reason, and one that is becoming increasingly important: parallel imported drugs are always repackaged, and a package insert in the language of the country is added. This invariably involves the risk of forgery. Forgeries are a growing problem, because nowadays not only lifestyle drugs are counterfeited, but sometimes also vital medicines." |
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