How parallel trade successfully mitigated cancer treatment shortage in the Netherlands

In the beginning of December 2021, Hoffmann-La Roche contacted the Dutch-based International Pharmaceutical Wholesaler BModesto.  

Roche was facing a short term shortage of Herceptin®️ (chemical name: Trastuzumab) 600mg in the Dutch hospitals. Herceptin is vital drug for hospitals to have in stock as it is a drug that is used for the treatment of early and advanced stages of different types of cancer.

The shortage of Herceptin®️ in The Netherlands was expected to last 2 weeks. This is to long for a crucial cancer drug. That is why Roche needed a temporary solution to cover the shortages.

At the moment the shortage occurred, Roche contacted BModesto. Being a Dutch-based and independent specialist in parallel import, BModesto could be the one to offer a solution for this issue.

BModesto did not hold a Parallel Imports License in the Netherlands for Herceptin®️ but they were using Roche’s cancer drug for clinical trial purposes and therefore had imported stock in their warehouse.  

With Roche’s approval, BModesto asked the HYCI (Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate) for exemption. BModesto received approval within 24 hours from the HYCI for supply without the Parallel Imports License of Herceptin®️. BModesto was now able to supply and distribute for a two-week period the imported drugs to all Dutch hospitals directly in accordance with Roche.

BModesto provided all the packs with Dutch packaging and prescriptions before they were distributed to the concerned hospitals. Roche referred their received Herceptin®️ orders to BModesto and, one day after approval, they already delivered the first packs.

Roche was massively impressed with the quickness of BModesto’s actions as this is a good example of how Parallel Import can solve urgent shortages.

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BModesto Group : www.bmodesto.com