Together we are larger and stronger. This is the fundamental philosophy behind our work with players in other countries. Denmark is a small country with a small market, but with other countries, we can enhance our position and become a stronger cooperation partner for suppliers. At the same time, suppliers can be part of a bigger market. This should benefit all parties.
Our international cooperation also gives us insight and overview that we use when we advise and discuss matters concerning developments in the Danish Health service with our national cooperation partners.
Amgros has relationships with a large number of countries individually, in networks, in alliances across national borders, and under the auspices of the EU and the WHO. The most developed of these are our relationships with the other Nordic countries and the Beneluxa-Ireland initiative.
Denmark faces the same challenges as many other countries. In particular, the prices of new drugs and the increasing number of long-term supply disruptions for older drugs.
The pharmaceuticals market is international, and decisions in other countries can influence the Danish market. Therefore, Amgros has focus on developing our international relationships and being aware of where we can buy products or have alternative drugs manufactured.
NORDIC PHARMACEUTICALS FORUM
In 2015, Amgros took initiative to establish the Nordic Pharmaceuticals Forum (Nordisk Lægemiddelforum). The collaboration focusses on sharing knowledge and working towards common Nordic solutions. An important challenge is to make it attractive to supply pharmaceuticals to the Nordic countries, as in a global context they are only very small markets.
Cooperation in the Nordic Pharmaceuticals Forum is based on the principles of voluntariness, consensus, joint responsibility and joint financing.
So far, cooperation is in five areas, with focus on knowledge-sharing and mutual inspiration: Horizon Scanning, Security of supply, New, expensive pharmaceuticals, Manufacture, the Environment and Joint Nordic tendering procedures.
Cooperation in some areas is under development, while in others it is more specific and proactive. For example, Denmark, Norway and Iceland have now completed two joint Nordic tendering procedure for medicines. The individual countries are only involved in projects that are relevant for them.
The Nordic Pharmaceuticals Forum is organised with a steering group comprising representatives from the individual countries as well as working groups for prioritised areas.
The steering group includes representatives from each country and a coordinator. Denmark holds the chairmanship.
As a natural continuation of cooperation within the Nordic Pharmaceuticals Forum, in September 2018 Norway and Denmark entered into a political agreement on increased cooperation, including joint tendering procedures and price negotiations.
Read more about the agreement of intent. (Only available in Danish).
April 2023 the Nordic Pharmaceutical Forum launched a new joint strategy to set the direction for cooperation over the next few years.
The new joint Nordic strategy focuses on three areas 1) Innovative procurement cooperation 2) Security of supply, and 3) a strong Nordic voice.
An important part of our international work is to find inspiration from how our colleagues in other countries manage challenges. We are also proactive and we bring our own knowledge into play so that others can learn from our experience. We are all facing many of the same challenges, such as increasing expenditure on medicines and growing problems in securing supplies of medicines for hospitals and patients.
Amgros takes part in a number of European networks on medicines pricing, tendering procedures, procurement, Horizon Scanning and more.
We are also part of a number of best practice alliances, such as the Beneluxa-Ireland initiative, the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) and, as already mentioned, the Nordisk Lægemiddelforum (Nordic Pharmaceuticals Forum), in which we work together to find procedures to help improve patients’ access to the right medicines.
Read more
National cooperation
Amgros plays an active role in developing the healthcare system. We forge cooperation with and between all parties who help ensure that hospitals have the right pharmaceuticals, hearing aids and medical devices available to treat patients at public hospitals.
READ MORE
Cooperation
We live in a time with serious challenges, not least in relation to our climate and the environment. Therefore, we’re in constant dialogue with our cooperation partners in Denmark and abroad. Because when we listen and work together, we achieve the best results - for all parties
READ MORE