What are some of the policy considerations in national decisions to permit or restrict parallel imports?
Manufacturers or publishers who oppose parallel imports make a number of arguments against parallel imports. For example, they express concern that parallel imports may be substandard products or even counterfeits, and may be difficult to support or service. They also express concern that the inability to charge higher margins in some markets may undermine their ability to service products. A variety of consumer interests that support parallel imports say that measures to deal with substandard products or counterfeits can be addressed with or without parallel imports, that consumers benefits from cross border trade can be substantial, outweighing the risks, and that parallel imports permit smaller or less competitive markets to benefit from competition in more competitive markets. • Why is this important in the health care area? There are substantial price differences for pharmacuetical in different markets. These price differences are due to local market conditions. The market conditi
