ORIGINAL.
AFFORDABLE.
SAFE.
IMPORT
Import of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
The same quality. Better availability. Real savings.
Parallel imports and reimports of EU medicines, controlled drugs and medical devices aren't a compromise – they're an intelligent part of a sustainable healthcare system. Imported medicines are always genuine branded products, containing the same active ingredients, manufactured by the same companies and meeting exactly the same quality standards as those already available on the German market. The only difference is how they're sourced – and the price.
Medicines are often significantly more expensive in Germany than in many other EU countries. Parallel imports make use of these price differences, delivering savings that benefit pharmacies, health insurers and patients alike.
The figures speak for themselves:
The direct savings generated by imported medicines in Germany have grown steadily in recent years – from €264 million in 2017, to €300 million in 2020, €700 million in 2024 and more than €840 million in 2025,* and these figures are continuing to rise.
The indirect impact is even greater. For patented medicines, parallel imports are the only effective way of introducing genuine price competition into the market.
What this means for our partners
For pharmacies, it means greater flexibility when sourcing medicines – without compromising on quality or safety. For the healthcare system, it makes an important contribution to long-term cost stability. And for patients, it means reliable access to trusted branded medicines at competitive prices.
This is where B2B Medical makes a difference. Drawing on our Europe-wide sourcing network, extensive market expertise and long-standing supplier relationships, we identify opportunities across Europe to secure the right products at the right price.
* Source: PROGNOS Short Study: ‘Savings Generated by the Import of Medicines for the German Healthcare System’, June 2025
IDENTICAL. COMPLIANT. VERIFIED.
EU Pharmaceuticals
EU pharmaceuticals are genuine branded medicines imported from other European countries. They fully comply with the requirements of the German Pahrmaceuticals Act and are identical to the equivalent branded pharmaceuticals available in Germany in terms of their active ingredients, efficacy and intended use.
Before a parallel-imported pharmaceutical can be placed on the German market, it must be authorised by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). For centrally authorised medicines marketed under the parallel distribution procedure, a completed notification procedure with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is also required. These regulatory procedures ensure that every product meets all legal and quality requirements before it reaches the market.
Ensuring the authenticity of every pharmaceutical.
Every pharmaceutical we supply is registered in the European Medicines Verification System (EMVS) and assigned a unique serial number. On receipt of every delivery, we verify each individual pack to confirm that it is a genuine product from the original manufacturer – without exception. This enables us to comply fully with the requirements of the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD).
More importantly, it gives patients confidence that they can rely on the pharmaceuticals they receive. We never take that trust for granted.
EU Medical Devices
EU medical devices are genuine products manufactured by the original manufacturer for the European market. They comply with the same European quality and safety standards as identical products already available in Germany. The only difference is that they were originally intended for another EU market before being introduced into Germany. They meet the same high standards of quality, safety and performance as their German-market equivalents.
As a licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler operating within a strictly regulated framework, we place these products on the German market in full compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Before they are supplied in Germany, products are relabelled and repackaged in accordance with German legislation, provided with German-language labelling and assigned a pharmaceutical central number (“Pharmazentralnummer” (PZN)), enabling them to be supplied directly to pharmacies and, ultimately, to patients.
Every stage of this process is governed by our Quality Management System and subject to continuous monitoring. When it comes to medical devices, safety is never a formality. It's the foundation that allows healthcare professionals and patients to use every product with complete confidence.
From sourcing to delivery, the safety of every EU medical device is our highest priority.
PRODUCTION.
IMPORT. TRADE.
Parallel Imports & Reimports
The terms parallel import and reimport are often used interchangeably, but they describe two different routes to market.
With a parallel import, the manufacturer produces the product at a manufacturing site outside Germany. B2B Medical purchases these genuine branded products in other European countries and imports them into Germany in full compliance with all applicable legal and quality requirements.
With a reimport, the product is manufactured in Germany, exported to another European country and subsequently imported back into Germany. In both cases, the products remain genuine branded products that meet the same high standards of quality, safety and regulatory compliance.
What both routes have in common is they improve price transparency, strengthen competition and help safeguard the reliable supply of medicines and medical devices. That is what drives us.
SUPPLY.
INFORM. SAVE.
Genuine Branded Products at Competitive Prices
Significant price differences exist for pharmaceuticals and medical devices across the European Economic Area, reflecting the different healthcare systems[DS1] and pricing structures in each country. This is particularly true for patented medicines, which are often considerably less expensive in other EU countries than they are in Germany.
Parallel imports make it possible to take advantage of these price differences – without compromising on quality or safety. A genuine branded product remains the same genuine branded product, regardless of where it is sourced.
German legislation recognises these benefits. Under Section 129 of Book V of the German Social Code (SGB V), pharmacists are required to inform patients about equivalent, lower-cost alternatives where these are available. Imported pharmaceutcicals play an important role in achieving this objective. They help reduce costs for statutory health insurers, lower patient co-payments and support the principle of the free movement of goods within the European Union.
B2B Medical helps ensure these benefits reach our partners through reliable supply, transparent processes and genuine added value.