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India releases study on Norway’s pharma procurement landscape to boost exports
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
June 06 , 2025
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In a strategic move to bolster Indian pharmaceutical exports to the Nordic region, the Indian Embassy in Oslo, with the support of the ministry of commerce and industry, Government of India, under the Market Expansion Activity (MEA), has successfully commissioned a detailed study on the pharmaceutical and vaccine procurement landscape in Norway. The findings are expected to guide Indian pharmaceutical exporters in navigating one of Europe’s most regulated and quality-sensitive markets.
The report, released by the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), sheds light on the nuances of Norway’s healthcare procurement system, emphasizing regulatory alignment, early engagement, and market adaptability.
This report provides valuable insights into the Norwegian pharmaceutical landscape, emphasizing the importance of early regulatory engagement, local partnerships, and price-sensitive strategies in alignment with Norway’s healthcare priorities.
Key highlights of the report include analysis of the structure and dynamics of Norway’s pharmaceutical sector, detailed guidance on compliance with EMA and the Norwegian Medical Products Agency (NoMA), insights into the procurement of in-patient, out-patient pharmaceuticals, and vaccines, identification of key entities including NoMA, Ministry of Health, Sykehusinnkjøp HF, wholesalers, hospital pharmacies, and distributors, overview of schemes like Innovation Norway and SkatteFUNN supporting market entry and expansion, step-by-step recommendations for Indian companies navigating Norway’s regulatory and operational environment and answers to frequently asked questions by Indian exporters regarding the Norwegian market.
This study is particularly relevant in the context of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) and serves as a useful reference for Indian pharmaceutical companies exploring opportunities in Norway and the broader Nordic region.
“We encourage all member pharma companies to review this study carefully. It offers not just data, but actionable intelligence that can shape successful entry and sustained operations in the Norwegian pharmaceutical market,” emphasized Raja Bhanu, director general, Pharmexcil.
Pharmexcil urges interested exporters to utilize this report in their strategic planning. Queries and requests for further clarification can be directed to dgdesk@pharmexcil.com.
With Norway’s healthcare system increasingly prioritizing value-based and innovative treatment options, Indian pharmaceutical companies, renowned globally for quality generics and biosimilars, stand at a promising threshold. This study marks a significant step in realizing that potential.
Norway's pharmaceutical market is strictly regulated and aligns with EU standards via the EEA Agreement. Indian manufacturers must meet EMA requirements for marketing authorization and obtain national pricing clearance from Norwegian Medical Products Agency (NoMA) after approval.
Norway's procurement system operates through three main channels - Inpatient pharmaceuticals are acquired via national tenders by the Norwegian Hospital Procurement Trust, NoMa evaluates outpatient drugs for cost-effectiveness and medical value, and if the budget impact exceeds NOK 100 million, the Ministry of Health or Parliament must approve the decision, Vaccines are evaluated by NoMA and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health before being procured through national tenders and public hospitals prioritize competitive pricing and reliable supply in their purchasing processes.
Key stakeholders include NoMA, the Ministry of Health, the Hospital Procurement Trust (Sykehusinnkjøp HF), wholesalers, hospital pharmacies, and industry associations such as Legemiddelindustrien (LMI) and Farma Norge.
Support is available through Innovation Norway, SkatteFUNN tax credits, and the India- the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which provides tariff reductions and simplified trade facilitation once ratified.
Indian companies who are considering entering the Norwegian markets should adopt a proactive approach, forming local partnerships for distribution and engaging early with NoMA for approvals and pricing. By aligning with these regulations and market dynamics, Indian manufacturers can effectively navigate Norway’s low-price, quality-focused pharmaceutical environment.
Norway has around 5.5 million people. The citizens are entitled to universal and solidaristic health coverage within a predominantly public health care system. Norway has a high per capita healthcare spending. Norway employs, due to the public health system, strict containment measures for pharmaceuticals. When reimbursed pharmaceuticals are on the other hand available for all citizens. Norway has comparatively low medicine prices in a Europe context.
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