Andorra Pharmacists Warn EU Deal May Ban Unique Medicines Sales

Jesús Robinat, president of the Col·legi Oficial de Farmacèutics d'Andorra (COFA), has raised alarms about how Andorra's association agreement with the European Union might restrict sales of certain medicines and dietary supplements available only in the principality.

These products, including those with melatonin, have served as a major attraction for shoppers crossing from France and Spain, bolstering local pharmacies' competitive position against neighbouring markets.

In comments to the Andorran News Agency (ANA), Robinat explained that the deal could prevent such sales since the items are not marketed in the EU. "Theoretically, with this association agreement, they won't let us sell these things because they're not sold in Europe, so I suppose we won't be able to sell them here in Andorra either," he stated.

The COFA leader highlighted persistent uncertainty over the agreement's specific effects and which products might stay on shelves. No detailed conditions have been released yet, leaving the sector unable to gauge the full repercussions.

"Likewise, the association agreement is something that's around everything, but no one will know exactly what we can do and what we can't until we're faced with it," Robinat noted.

Pharmacies fear the changes could erode a key commercial advantage and harm trade, with COFA calling for prompt clarification on the terms to evaluate the precise impact.