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:

What Types of Impurities may be Present in Active Substances?

What Types of Impurities may be Present in Active Substances?


Read more
There’s Something in the Air – Cleanroom Technology in the Pharmaceutical Industry

There’s Something in the Air – Cleanroom Technology in the Pharmaceutical Industry

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, clean air is not a subjective perception but a precisely controlled technical condition that is essential for product safety. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems ensure, through airflow management, air filtration and pressure control, that particles and microorganisms are kept away from critical areas. This is based on clearly defined requirements for air changes, cleanliness classes, airflow patterns and pressure concepts, all of which are designed according to the manufacturing process and contamination risk involved.
Read more
EU: Analysis Supporting the Proposed Biotech Act

EU: Analysis Supporting the Proposed Biotech Act

The European Commission has published the analysis underpinning the proposed Biotech Act. The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors and to accelerate the development, production and market uptake of biotechnology-based innovations.
Read more
EFPIA: Results of the Member Survey 2025 on GMP and GDP Inspections

EFPIA: Results of the Member Survey 2025 on GMP and GDP Inspections

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has published the results of its “Annual Regulatory GMP/GDP Inspection Survey 2025”. The data suggest that international GMP inspections are increasingly being replaced by reliance and work-sharing approaches between inspectorates.
Read more
What are the Core Tasks of Human Resource Management?

What are the Core Tasks of Human Resource Management?

Here's the answer:
Read more
European GMP Regulations: Ongoing Changes and What Lies Ahead

European GMP Regulations: Ongoing Changes and What Lies Ahead

At the 2026 ISPE European Annual Conference in Copenhagen, Brendan Cuddy (EMA) provided a concise update on current European GMP regulatory developments and the work of the GMP/GDP Inspectors Working Group (GMDP IWG).
Read more
Previous
Next