Affordable Medicines Europe was founded in June 1998, and it remains the only body to bring together and represent licensed pharmaceutical independent distributors from across the European Economic Area (EEA).
Independent distributors of medicines are an integral part of the European pharmaceutical supply chain. Independent distribution adds value to society by bringing price competition in the market – mostly for patented medicines – and a supplementary layer of product safety. Our members work every day to mitigate medicine shortages and make medicines more affordable and accessible for European healthcare systems and patients.
Through the direct membership of 18 national associations and individual companies, Affordable Medicines Europe’s has more than 105 member companies in 19 EU and EEA Member States and the UK. These members account for approximately 80% of the total parallel import market volume in the area. In total, the industry amounts to annual sales of 7.67 billion euros in 2024. Membership of Affordable Medicines Europe is exclusive to companies holding a wholesale license (Good Distribution Practices), no matter if they undertake export or import activities. Additionally, all importing members are Good Manufacturing Practices licensed. All our members also sign up to the code of conduct of Good Parallel Distribution Guidelines.
Affordable Medicines Europe is managed in Brussels by our Secretariat. The association is governed by its Board and General Assembly that takes place twice a year.
Independent distribution in medicines began long before the existence of our association, more than four decades ago. The original pioneers imported products from Italy into Germany and the UK. Soon after, medicines were increasingly traded from Greece and Spain into Scandinavia. For a while, independent distribution operated mostly from south to north, but in the last fifteen years, enabled by the European Single Market, it has become a veritable intra-European activity. Nearly all EEA countries experience and benefit from independent distribution of medicines.
The primary goal of Affordable Medicines Europe is to safeguard and foster independent distribution in branded medicinal products, and to improve the operating conditions of independent distribution of medicines in the EU, EEA and the UK. Affordable Medicines Europe advocates for free trade within the EEA, fair competition in the European Single Market and the completion of a functioning EU internal market, also in pharmaceuticals.
To achieve these goals and support its members, Affordable Medicines Europe monitors and analyses relevant EU level and national policy initiatives in the area of pharmaceutical parallel distribution, informs European decision-makers about the sector and its added value to healthcare systems, provides members with relevant data and information to inform their decision-making, carries out scientific studies, cooperates with other EU-wide and national associations that have similar or interrelated interests, represents the industry vis-à-vis third parties and assists in implementing legislation.
Additionally, we offer a platform for members to network, gather knowledge and share expertise, and encourage members to cooperate in the development of independent distribution sector.
Affordable Medicines Europe stands for the visibility of the industry and acts on emerging issues, making the association a valuable source of expertise and constructive counterpart for government institutions and healthcare payers at the European and national level.
