# Import a human medicine Source: https://www.keypedia.com/records/uk_mhra_guidance/uk-mhra/61a5dcb0-980b-42c4-a47e-cde93468fa32 Type: Detailed Guide Published: August 8, 2005 Updated: January 29, 2025 > The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued guidance detailing the mandatory licensing requirements for importing medicinal products into the United Kingdom. To legally import licensed medicines, companies must secure one or more specific authorizations: a Wholesale Distribution Authorisation (WDA(H)), a Manufacturer’s Licence, or a Marketing Authorisation (MA). The specific requirements depend on the origin of the medicine and whether it is destined for Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Notably, medicines containing controlled substances require additional clearance from the Home Office. The regulatory framework emphasizes quality assurance; a Qualified Person (QP) must certify that products meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards before release. For importers in Great Britain, a Responsible Person for Import (RPi) may also be required. When dealing with unlicensed medicines, importers must hold a Manufacturer’s “Specials” Licence (MSL) and proactively notify the MHRA of their intent to import, allowing the agency to object if necessary. Key required actions for compliance include submitting formal license applications, ensuring all manufacturing sites pass MHRA site inspections, and verifying that all international suppliers are appropriately authorized. While this document is a general guidance and does not list specific company violations or inspection dates, it establishes that failure to maintain valid licenses or adhere to notification protocols for unlicensed goods precludes legal market access. --- ## Content Import a licensed medicine If you want to import a licensed medicine you’ll need to apply for one or more licences: Wholesale distribution licence (WDA(H)) Manufacturer’s licence Marketing authorisation, also known as product licence ( MA ) If the human medicine you want to import contains a controlled substance (having or using it is controlled by law) you must contact the Home Office . Apply for a wholesaler licence (WDA(H)) You’ll need to apply for a wholesaler licence if you import medicine from: a country on an approved country for import list or if you are in Northern Ireland a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) and then supply it to another country, including the UK a country other than an approved country for import and export it to a country other than an approved country for import or if you are in Northern Ireland a EEA country and export it to a non-EEA country How much you pay depends on the type of application, the number of sites, and your total turnover in licensed human medicines. If your company is based in Great Britain, you may need a Responsible Person for Import . Apply for a wholesaler licence Apply for a manufacturer licence You’ll need to apply for a manufacturer licence if you import medicine from a country other than an approved country for import for use in the UK or to supply it to a country on an approved country for import list. If you are in Northern Ireland you’ll need to apply for a manufacturer licence if you import medicine from outside the EEA for use in the UK or to supply it to an EEA country. Apply for a manufacturer licence Apply for a marketing authorisation ( MA ) licence You need to have an MA licence before you can sell a human medicine. There are many types of MA licence so the process you need to follow depends on the type of MA licence you need. Before a medicine can be released to the market, a Qualified Person ( QP ) named in the manufacturer/importer licence must certify that it has been manufactured and tested according to: the MA good manufacturing practice Site inspections MHRA will inspect the manufacturing site you use to produce or import the medicine when you’re applying for an MA . There is a list of GMP-compliant manufacturers available on the MHRA -GMDP or for certificates issued prior to 1st January 2021 on the EUDRAGMDP website . There is a list of GMP-compliant manufacturers available on MHRA -GMDP . Apply for an MA licence Import an unlicensed medicine If you want to import an unlicensed medicine into the UK you will need: a Manufacturer’s “Specials” Licence (MSL) if you’re importing a medicine from a country other than an approved country for import or if you are in Northern Ireland from outside the EEA (you will need to supply supporting documents) a Wholesale Dealer’s Licence (WDA (H)) if you’re importing a medicine from a country on an approved country for import list Before you import an unlicensed medicine you will need to notify the MHRA of your intent to import an unlicensed medicine before you import it. You can only proceed with the import if the MHRA does not object to it. Additional information on the importation and supply of unlicensed medicines can be found on Supply unlicensed medicinal products (specials) Import an introduced product You must be a licensed wholesale dealer in the UK to import an introduced product. You may only obtain an introduced medicine from a person authorised in the country other than an approved country for import or if you are in Northern Ireland in the non-EEA country to supply medicinal products by wholesale distribution. You can only export an introduced product to a person authorised in the country other than an approved country for import or if you are in Northern Ireland the non-EEA country to receive medicinal products for wholesale distribution or supply to the public. An introduced medicinal product will not have an MA for the UK or a country on an approved country for import list. Contact Please refer to Contact the MHRA ## Attachments - [information relating to specific products](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7d0002e5274a2af0ae2c28/Important_information_relating_to_specific_products__MHRA_.doc)