The economic impact of parallel imports of pharmaceuticals – An assessment of savings in Denmark in 2025

The practice of parallel imports of pharmaceuticals has taken place in Denmark and the rest of the EU since the 1970s. Parallel-imported pharmaceuticals are original pharmaceuticals imported from another EU/EEA country where they are cheaper than in Denmark. Hence, they are the same medicinal products as those sold by original manufacturers in Denmark. In 2025, parallel imports accounted for 25% of turnover of medicinal products in the Danish primary sector.

Main conclusions of our study

• The total savings from parallel imports of pharmaceuticals in Denmark amounted to DKK 665 million in 2025
• Total savings correspond to 2% of the total expenditure on pharmaceuticals in Denmark, or an average saving on parallel-imported products of 20%
• Price competition accounts for a larger share of the savings in 2025 than in 2021

The study was commissioned by the Danish Association of Parallel Importers of Pharmaceuticals (Foreningen for Parallelimportører af Medicin).

Download the study in Danish below.