We know that pharmacies buying generics are making a loss when they dispense. Previous analysis, available on the Wavedata.co.uk articles page, shows that over 1200 generic products each month are unprofitable.
However, what about parallel imports, are they profitable products for pharmacies to dispense or are pharmacies losing money with these as well?
Charles Joynson, WaveData MD, looked at the parallel import prices that pharmacies are paying each month and compared them with the reimbursement prices for those branded products. The analysis showed that in April 2012 just 11 parallel imported products were unprofitable, but by January 2026 this had grown to over 100.
Whilst this is not a huge number – it’s just 6% of the available PIs, with the rest being profitable – it adds to the financial difficulties that pharmacies face.