Medicines

The purpose of the Arzneimittelgesetz AMG (Medicines Act)
is to ensure - for a proper supplying of medicines to man and animals - safety in medicine trade and especially a good quality, efficacy and harmlessness of medicine.
Therefore, the provisions of the Arzneimittelgesetz (AMG) serve the protection of consumers. First of all, the AMG directs to the manufacturers and distributors of medicines in the inland. Medicines may be sold to the consumer only subsequent to tests and approvals concerning the efficacy and harmlessness of produced medicines in an admittance process. Of course, the strict regulations of the German Medicines Act must also be met by medicines imported into Germany from other countries. That is why the importation of medicines is especially controlled. This control is part of the duties performed by German Customs.

Participation of Customs Offices
Among others, the participation in the control of importation and exportation of medicines into the scope of the Medicines Act is part of the duties performed by German Customs.

On entry of medicines, Customs especially checks

whether the medicine is licensed
whether the importation of this medicine is permitted (so- called import permit)
whether the medicine is labelled according to the provisions of the AMG (Medicines Act) and
whether a package insert in German language is provided.

In case of any doubts as to the permissibility of the importation of medicine the competent medicine control authorities shall be consulted.
Medicine which is prohibited entry shall be either destroyed or must be re- exported.