Region Skåne – first swedish region to participate in joint nordic tenders

Photo: Anne-Li Engström

The joint Nordic tenders under the Nordic Pharmaceutical Forum are being strengthened. Region Skåne will participate as the first Swedish region in the next round of joint tenders, which will be published in 2026.

This means Region Skåne becomes part of the well-functioning collaboration on joint Nordic tenders for medicines, which the procurement organizations in Iceland, Norway, and Denmark have conducted for several years.

The fight to secure the supply of medicines has not become easier over the years — especially for small markets like those in the Nordic region.

This is one of the main reasons why the procurement organizations in Iceland, Norway, and Denmark have conducted joint tenders for medicines since 2020. And it is a very good reason why Region Skåne has now decided to join the collaboration and become part of the joint Nordic tenders—which are considered a bet practice in the EU.

– Securing access to critical medicines is a central part of our regional preparedness. By joining forces with our Nordic neighbours, we can stand stronger, reduce vulnerabilities in supply chains, and face future challenges with greater confidence. Once again, Nordic cooperation proves its strength. Together, we can build a more robust and secure healthcare system for our citizens, says  Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Region Skåne, Carl-Johan Sonesson.

A wish comes true

Since the planning of the first Nordic tender, the procurement organizations in Denmark, Norway, and Iceland have hoped that one or more Swedish or Finnish regions would take part in the joint Nordic tenders. When small markets join forces, it can be more attractive for suppliers to bid, hench increasing the chances of securing medicine supply.

Region Skåne’s participation sends a strong signal of Nordic unity in uncertain times. At the same time, the total market size in the Nordic tenders will increase by approximately 11.5 percent.

– At the Nordic Pharmaceutical Forum, we are very pleased that Region Skåne is now joining the joint Nordic tenders. If other regions in Sweden or Finland also wish to participate, we are of course very open to that – because in an uncertain world with fragile supply chains and lower supply security, we, as small countries, have much to gain from collaboration, says Flemming Sonne, CEO of Amgros and Chair of the Nordic Pharmaceutical Forum.

The tender documents for the new Nordic tender, which Region Skåne will be part of, will be published in 2026.

Facts

• Region Skåne has approximately 1.4 million inhabitants. Norway has 5.6 million, Iceland 0.4 million, and Denmark around 6 million.
• Under the Nordic Pharmaceutical Forum, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland have conducted joint tenders since 2020. In total, there have been four tenders—three large joint tenders covering multiple medicines and one smaller tender for a single medicine.
• The medicines covered have mainly been various narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
• Since 2022, the procurement organizations have incorporated environmental criteria into the tenders and are also working with supply security criteria.