Substitution

Substitution (replacement) means that the pharmacy dispenses another and cheaper medicinal product than the one the doctor has prescribed. These medicinal products contain the same active substance in the same amount and the same form. The medicinal products therefore have the same effect, even though they look different and are sold under a different name.

The pharmacy can - instead of the medicinal product prescribed - dispense either a medicinal product, which is produced by another pharmaceutical company and has another name, or a medicinal product, which is manufactured by the same firm and possibly has another name (parallel imported medicinal product).

Using the search page at www.medicinpriser.dk, you can find those medicinal products, which can substitute (replace) the medicinal product prescribed. The Danish Medicines Agency professionally evaluates all these medicinal products.

The pharmacy must dispense a cheaper medicinal product, unless the doctor has decided against substitution by writing "ej S" (not S) on the prescription. You can, however, also decide for yourself if you do not want a cheaper medicinal product.

If neither you nor your doctor have decided not to choose substitution, you will receive the cheapest medicinal product. But if the price difference between the cheapest and the prescribed medicinal product is within certain limits - DKK 5 to 20 depending on the price of the medicinal product - you will receive the medicinal product that the doctor has prescribed.