Parallel import in Bulgaria will grow with a more effective regulatory framework
Capital Health, 18th, May, 2018
Profile:
Boryana Marinkova is the CEO of the Bulgarian Association for Medicines Parallel Trade Development (BAMPTD). Marinkova is responsible for the implementation of the BAMPTD goals, which are to ensure the access of Bulgarian patients to quality and effective pharmaceutical products under competitive conditions, to initiate changes for rapid parallel import of medicines in shortage and to support the establishment of an electronic system that will indicate in real time the decreasing availability of medicines on the national market. She has 11 years of experience as a Marketing director at the intenational healthcare investment Tokuda Hospital since the opening of the largest private hospital in Bulgaria. She was there managing the implementation of the marketing plan, communications and strategic development. In the period 2012-2017 she was responsible for the corporate affairs and the PR of the Bulgarian National Association of Private Hospitals. She graduated in Marketing at the University of National and World Economy in 2004 after a bachelor's program in Economics of the Mass Media again at UNWE. She is certificied by BEIED in Professional Marketing Management in 2009 and Professional Executive Management in 2015. Currently she is undergoing a PhD program in Public Administration at the University of National and World Economy.
Parallel distribution (PD) of medicinal products in the European Community has over 40 years of history. Initially, its direction was from Southern Europe to the countries of Northern Europe, but over the past 15 years PD has been the cause of intense and balanced trade in the European Economic Area. Price differences across Europe make it possible for each product to be distributed in a country whit a higher price or shortage and consumers will have the benefit of purchasing it at a lower price.
In 2011 in our country 4 drugs were imported through parallel distribution, now they are 114
Bulgaria has generated more and more benefits from parallel distribution, and in the last 7 years the number of parallel imported medicines increased from 4 in 2011 to 114 according to the Register of the Bulgarian Drug Agency as of 12 March 2018. More and more medicinal products can be imported into our country, with the greatest benefit to Bulgarian patients and the healthcare system of preblockedion medicines reimbursed by the National Health Insurance Fund. BAMPTD strives to liberalize the regulatory framework in order to ease the regime of access of Bulgarian patients to preblockedion medicines from parallel import.
From 20 to 50% cheaper preblockedion medicines thanks to parallel import in Bulgaria
Presently the medicines with preblockedion from parallel import have shown a price effect in favor of consumers of 20 to 50% lower prices of medicines for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic pain, and so on.
Parallel distribution is a legitimate activity regulated by European law. The name "parallel" comes from its essence - it is trade beyond the traditional distribution network (manufacturer / wholesaler - pharmacy / hospital) established by the manufacturers of medicinal products that sell only through its official representative on that market. Like the rest of the pharmaceutical sector, parallel trade is highly regulated and controlled locally and at EU level.
5% of the turnover of pharmacies in Germany must necessarily be from parallel import
A good example of promoting parallel import at national level with a view to savings for the systems and more affordable prices for patients is Germany. The regulatory requirement that 5% of the turnover of pharmacies be generated from the sale of drugs from parallel import is implemented.
Licensed wholesalers deliver medicines from original manufacturers with a single source the European Economic Area and they are carefully scrutinized under EU and national regulations that apply to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Drugs produced in the same plants and sold through the same channels are the same and similar to the products distributed by the local brand owner but with a lower price.
Any product imported parallel to Bulgaria passes a statutory registration procedure. We can claim that parallel imported medicines have an additional guarantee of safety and origin. The sticker that is affixed to the blister pack, sachet, vial of each medicinal product imported from the EU is the sign that this medicine has an extra safety and quality certificate, namely that it is repacked under the conditions of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and the lot is certified for Bulgaria by a manufacturing company authorized to produce medicinal products.
The Sticker is a sign of strict control and additional safety for patients
The sticker is also placed in order to adapt the product for the Bulgarian patients and to have the necessary information in Bulgarian. The presence of a sticker shows that a very strict internal control of the supply chain has been applied and the repackaging has been carried out in an environment of Good Manufacturing Practice.
The BAMPTD members are proud to be reliable, responsible and professional partners in the healthcare system. The companies in our association comply with a strict Code of Business Practice and apply Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Distribution Practice (DDI).
Parallel distribution means safetyParallel distribution is uncontrovertibly safe. Even if their supplies cross EEA internal borders (which manufacturers often consider a 'complex' supply route), the supply chain of PD is resilient in terms of quality assurance as well as against the entry of falsified products into the legal supply chain. Several business routines make up this result:
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BAMPTD fully supports the protection of the interests of Bulgarian patients for unhindered access to medicines at the best possible price and we have repeatedly stated the need for a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory regulatory basis for all economic subjects. As a sustainable partner of the institutions, we actively participate with our expertise in the public discussion of the forthcoming changes in the pharmaceutical legislation.
Parallel trade in medicinal products creates a real competitive environment and helps regulate the prices of medicinal products in the Member States and should therefore be protected, tolerated and encouraged.
Parallel distribution of medicines creates a real competitive environment and helps regulate the prices of medicinal products in the Member States and should therefore be protected, tolerated and encouraged.
The free movement of goods, including medicines, within the common European market is a fundamental and most important principle of the European legislation entitling the European citizens to access medicines from this place in Europe where the prices are the lowest.
Parallel distribution of medicines as well as other goods counteracts price differences between different national markets within the European Economic Area (EEA). Parallel distributors buy products marketed by the original pharmacy manufacturers at a lower price in one country and sell them in another country where the price is higher. Such trading is legal under the rule of regional exhaustion of the trademark owner's right applied in the EU and the EEA.
Benefits from parallel distribution Parallel distribution creates savings:
Parallel distribution fosters competition:
Parallel distribution builds growth:
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Companies engaged in parallel distribution of medicines are an integrated part of the European pharmaceutical market and the drug supply chain and add value to society by introducing price competition on the market as an additional filter to check product safety. Companies performing parallel distribution of medicinal products are licensed by the regulatory authorities of the respective EU Member State and are working in accordance with the requirements of good practices for the production and / or distribution of medicines.
Parallel distributors of medicines provide savings for public organizations purchasing medicines while ensuring that these medicines are proven in the EU and are part of the legal drug supply chain.
Licensed wholesalers supply medicines from original manufacturers with a single source Europe, and they are carefully scrutinized under EU legislation and national regulations that apply to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Drugs produced in the same plants and sold through the same channels are identical to products that are distributed by the local brand owner but are cheaper.
For more than 40 years patients have been receiving guaranteed parallel trade savings that bring competition to the otherwise closed pharmaceutical market and with improved access to medicines that are subject to limited or problematic distribution.
Parallel distribution provides an opportunity for Bulgarian patients to buy the same original medicines at lower prices and to have access to a variety of medicines in all EEA countries, not just those registered on the local market. In order to widen this access, there is a need to refine and add texts in the current legislation. Thus, this kind of activity can be even more useful for patients and public funds, including for solving situations with a lack and shortage of medicinal products.