Pharma Expressz (Opinion) French Text [2021] EUECJ C-178/20_O (20 May 2021)

Pharma Expressz (Opinion) French Text [2021] EUECJ C-178/20_O (20 May 2021)

Articles 70-73 of Directive 2001/83/EC do not require a Member State to accept the classification of a medicinal product as non-prescription from another Member State where the product lacks national authorisation and classification. Article 6(1) obliges Member States to prohibit marketing of unauthorised medicines,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2021] EUECJ C-178/20_O
Parties
Applicant: Pharma Expressz Szolgáltató és Kereskedelmi Kft; Respondent: Országos Gyógyszerészeti és Élelmezés-egészségügyi Intézet
Jurisdiction
European Union
Procedural Posture
Preliminary Reference (eu Law) / Opinion of Advocate General
Outcome
Negative opinion for applicant; national measures upheld if proportionate and in line with Directive 2001/83/EC.
Legal Topics
Free Movement of Goods, Medicinal Products, Mutual Recognition, Market Authorisation, Public Health Protection
European Union Law Pharmaceutical Law Internal Market Free Movement of Goods Medicinal Products Mutual Recognition Market Authorisation Public Health Protection

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Parties

Pharma Expressz Szolgáltató és Kereskedelmi Kft

Applicant

Országos Gyógyszerészeti és Élelmezés-egészségügyi Intézet

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Preliminary Reference (eu Law) / Opinion of Advocate General

  1. 1 Whether a medicinal product authorised and classified as non-prescription in one Member State must be accepted as such in another Member State where it lacks national authorisation and classification.
  2. 2 Whether national requirements for a prescription and a pharmaceutical authority declaration for importation of such medicines constitute a justified restriction under Article 36 TFEU.

Ratio Decidendi

Articles 70-73 of Directive 2001/83/EC do not require a Member State to accept the classification of a medicinal product as non-prescription from another Member State where the product lacks national authorisation and classification. Article 6(1) obliges Member States to prohibit marketing of unauthorised medicines, subject to limited exceptions. National requirements for a prescription and a declaration from the pharmaceutical authority for importation of such medicines, as implemented under Article 5(1), do not constitute a restriction under Article 34 TFEU if they correctly transpose the directive and are proportionate to public health objectives.

Court Disposition

Negative opinion for applicant; national measures upheld if proportionate and in line with Directive 2001/83/EC.