Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

EMA: Updated Q&A on Parallel Distribution

Centrally authorised medicinal products placed on the market in one European Member State may be marketed under the same name in any other Member State by a distributor independent of the marketing authorisation holder. This process of parallel distribution is supervised by the EMA.

In April 2022, the EMA (European Medicines Agency) supplemented or revised its 30-page Q&A on frequently asked questions on parallel distribution with further Q&As. The new Q&As are marked by date (April 2022).


Which questions are new or updated?

General

  • Are the Agency parallel distribution notification procedures mandatory? (3)
  • What are the post-PD notice obligations of a parallel distributor? (8)
  • Does the 'specific mechanism' apply to parallel distributors? (16)
  • Can the PD notice be transferred? (22)

Initial notification

  • How to apply for the PD notice? (3)

Parallel distribution notification check

  • Can several languages be combined in one pack?  (11)
  • How many manufacturers are allowed in the package leaflet and on the outer labelling?  (16)
  • What are the requirements for the “blue box”? (17)

Post- Parallel distribution notice guidance

  • Can the Agency request the national competent authorities to perform an inspection of a parallel distributor? (3)
  • What are the parallel distributors' responsibilities regarding quality defects? (4)

Safety updates/bulk changes/annual update

  • How to submit a safety update?
  • How to submit an annual update?

Source:

EMA: Webseite zu Parallelvertrieb

Meet the GMP Compliance Adviser

The GMP Compliance Adviser is the world's largest knowledge portal for quality management in the pharma business. 

The demo access is non-binding and ends automatically.

Test it now for free

You may also be interested in the following articles:

Annex 22: EMA Workshop on AI in GMP

Annex 22: EMA Workshop on AI in GMP

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will hold a two-day multistakeholder workshop on 30 June and 1 July 2026 to gather expert input for the development of Annex 22 of the EU GMP Guide on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicines manufacturing.
Read more
FDA: Pilot Program for One-Day Inspectional Assessments

FDA: Pilot Program for One-Day Inspectional Assessments

Since April 2026, the U.S. FDA has been piloting “One-Day Inspectional Assessments” as a complement to standard FDA inspections.
Read more
EU: Commission Implementing Regulation on QM and Conformity Assessment Activities of Notified Bodies

EU: Commission Implementing Regulation on QM and Conformity Assessment Activities of Notified Bodies

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/977 of 4 May 2026 further specifies requirements for notified bodies under the MDR and IVDR frameworks and aims to promote a more harmonised implementation across the European Union.
Read more
The ABC of User Requirements Specification (URS)

The ABC of User Requirements Specification (URS)

In the URS, the future user defines what the system should be capable of, but also what it is limited to. In addition to the (testable!) technical requirements, regulatory require-ments should also be taken into account.
Read more
What is the Importance of Data Integrity?

What is the Importance of Data Integrity?

Here's the answer:
Read more
EDQM: Updated Guideline on CEP Revisions and Renewals

EDQM: Updated Guideline on CEP Revisions and Renewals

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare has published a revised version of its guideline on the revision and renewal of Certificates of Suitability (CEPs) (PA/PH/CEP (04) 02), aligning it with recent EU legislation on variation procedures.
Read more
Previous
Next