[Pharmacists' and general practitioners' views on parallel import of drugs]

Since 1995, parallel import of drugs to Norway has been allowed under the European Economic Area Agreement. The health authorities have stated that there are no concerns connected with the use of parallel-imported drugs. This study is an interview survey among general practitioners, pharmacy staff and pharmacists working in pharmacies. The findings show that 91% of the pharmacies dispense parallel-imported drugs and that there is a certain amount of scepticism regarding the use of parallel-imported drugs. Most respondents feel that parallel-imported pharmaceuticals may have financial advantages for the individual patient and economic advantages for society at large, but 50% of the pharmacists and 54% of the physicians were of the opinion that parallel-imported pharmaceuticals represented an increased medical risk for the patients. Approximately 15% of doctors and pharmacy staff had knowledge of either incorrect treatment or adverse drug reactions due to the use of parallel-imported drugs. The time used for prescribing and dispensing parallel-imported drugs is longer than for directly imported preparations. The survey shows that approximately every fifth doctor will use the right of reservation in connection with the dispensing of parallel-imported drugs, whereas approximately every fourth pharmacist will disregard the right of reservation.