The parallel import operations of medicinal products (also known as European distribution products) are the result of the principle of free movement of goods between states. Their legality has been recognized by the European Court of Justice since 1976.

The fact that an authorized and marketed drug in a member country (EU-EES) may have a different price from its analogue present in another member state (EU-EES), has led to the establishment of a “parallel” commercial activity, consisting in transferring drugs within the EU or the EES, from one state where prices are lower to another where prices are higher.

Parallel importation of drugs for human use therefore means the distribution, in a member state, of drugs already authorized, manufactured and marketed in another member state, outside the distribution circuit of the marketing authorisation holder of the same drugs.