Greece suspends parallel exports of 91 medicines for three months

Three-month restriction begins

Greece’s National Organization for Medicines, known as EOF, has imposed a temporary ban on parallel exports and intra-EU distribution of 91 medicines sold on the Greek market. The restriction took effect on August 27, 2026, and is scheduled to remain in force through November 27, 2026.

Iatropedia reported that EOF adopted the measure after evaluating data on the availability of the affected medicines in Greece. Healthreport similarly said the regulator reviewed the available supply information before deciding to restrict their movement for three months. The measure is intended to keep the products available for patients in the domestic market.

Domestic supply takes priority

During the restriction period, companies and distributors cannot build inventories of the 91 medicines. EOF said products legally circulating in Greece must be supplied to the domestic market as a priority. According to Healthreport, this obligation covers medicines authorized by EOF as well as products brought into the country through exceptional or emergency import procedures.

The regulator placed responsibility across the pharmaceutical distribution chain. Marketing authorization holders, pharmaceutical wholesalers and pharmacies must ensure that medicines reach patients in Greece in line with demand and lawful prescriptions. The restriction therefore affects not only exporters but also inventory management and allocation decisions throughout the domestic wholesale and retail network.

Consequences for pharmaceutical flows

The decision temporarily removes the listed products from parallel trade channels linking Greece with other EU markets. Parallel exports normally involve medicines placed legally on one national market and subsequently distributed to another market within the bloc. For wholesalers handling the affected products, stock that could otherwise have moved elsewhere in the EU must now be directed toward Greek demand.

The prohibition applies both to parallel exports and intra-Community distribution, giving the measure a broader operational reach than a restriction framed only around shipments formally classified as exports. The ban on stockpiling is designed to prevent companies from withholding supplies during the restriction period and releasing them after the measure expires. No financial value or volume for the affected trade was provided in the source material.

EOF may change or extend the measure

The November 27 end date is not necessarily final. Healthreport reported that EOF may partially or fully lift, modify, extend or replace the decision if market availability changes. Iatropedia also noted that the regulator can revise the measure when supply conditions warrant it.

EOF said it will continue monitoring market availability and examining reports of limited supply and product withdrawals submitted by marketing authorization holders, patients and healthcare professionals. The regulator also said it would keep taking measures intended to prevent shortages of medicines and active substances and avoid treatment gaps. For manufacturers, wholesalers and pharmacies, this means allocation rules could change before November 27 or remain in place for longer, depending on evidence from the Greek market.