Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ about Common Nordic packages

Please see the latest version of the document Q&A on Nordic packages on the Swedish Medical Products Agency’s website

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FAQ about Vnrs

May a Vnr, if it is already in use in one or several other Nordic countries, automatically be taken into use in another country?

No, NNC must confirm that the Vnr can be used in a new country.

In order for a Nordic Article Number to be used in several countries the article must meet the six basic criteria, see Criteria for Nordic Article Number.

A Vnr can be unlocked or locked. If the Vnr is unlocked the Vnr will automatically be allocated to a new country when a Vnr is applied for with the same article information.

If a Vnr is locked and it is desired to use the locked Vnr in another country, the holder of the Vnr in the country/countries, where the Vnr is locked, must approve the usage in the additional country in advance.

May a medical device have a Nordic Article Number?

A medical device cannot have a Vnr, as they are only used for pharmaceutical products. However, medical devices can have National article numbers. Note that there, for some countries, may be further country specific guidelines.

May a compounded drug provided under special licence have a Vnr?

An article without marketing authorisation cannot have a Nordic Article Number. However, a compounded drug provided under special licence and extemporaneous preparations can have a National article number.

Note that there, for some countries, may be further country specific guidelines.

May an identical parallel imported article originating from different export countries have the same Vnr in a country and in different countries?

Identical parallel imported pharmaceuticals originating from different export countries should have the same Nordic Article Number in a country. If they fulfil the conditions for common Nordic packs they could have the same Vnr in the different Nordic countries despite differing MT-numbers.

Transport packages and primary packages

The labelling of transport packages and primary packages falls outside the rules relating to Vnrs.