How to Import Cancer, Rare Disease & Chronic Disease Medicines into North Macedonia for Personal Use - A 2026 Guide

Summary - This guide is for patients in North Macedonia who are considering importing a prescription medicine from a different country for their own treatment. It outlines what the Law on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices says about personal importation, when can medicines be imported, what paperwork is involved, and how customs handles these shipments. It also shares how MedsPartner can help you explore access to quality-assured generic, biosimilar, or equivalent medicines through this compliant pathway - covering cancer, rare disease, HIV, hepatitis, autoimmune, cardiology, and other treatments - that are inaccessible in North Macedonia through local channels.

North Macedonia operates a mandatory social health insurance scheme through the Health Insurance Fund (HIF), covering more than 90% of the population with a broad basic benefits package. Primary care services are generally free at the point of delivery. For medicines, however, the picture is considerably more difficult.

Out-of-pocket payments accounted for 41.7% of health spending in 2021 - one of the highest shares in south-eastern Europe. Pharmaceuticals alone consumed up to half of all out-of-pocket payments in 2021.

A significant development came in October 2024, when North Macedonia updated its Positive List of Medicines after a 15-year gap - the mechanism that determines which medicines are fully or partially reimbursed by the national health insurance. This revision is expected to bring some financial relief. But for patients with cancer, rare diseases, or conditions requiring newer targeted therapies, many medicines remain either unlisted or unregistered entirely.

For patients prescribed a medicine that is not registered or accessible in North Macedonia, importing it for personal use may be a pathway permitted under Macedonian law, subject to specific conditions. 

What Does Personal Importation of Medicines Means and Why Do Patients in North Macedonia Look Into It?

Obtaining a prescription medicine from outside North Macedonia for your own treatment - not for sale or distribution - is what personal importation means in this context.

Patients in North Macedonia consider this option for a number of reasons. A medicine your physician has recommended may not be registered with MALMED and therefore unavailable at any local pharmacy. It may be registered but absent from the HIF's reimbursement list, leaving patients to pay the full private price. It may be on the Positive List in principle but in practice unavailable due to stock or procurement issues. 

MedsPartner can help eligible patients in North Macedonia explore personal importation of quality-assured generic, biosimilar or equivalent medicines in these scenarios subject to the regulatory requirements. Our team can walk you through what documentation is required and what to expect at each stage.

How Do Generic and Biosimilar Medicines From Outside North Macedonia Compare To Branded Options?

Generic, biosimilar, and equivalent medicines are manufactured by companies that did not fund the original drug's development. Once patent protections expire, other manufacturers can produce the same compound at a much lower price. This is why, generics and equivalent medicines available in other markets may be more affordable than branded versions.

MedsPartner works with manufacturing facilities holding approvals from the USFDA, EMA, PICs, WHO-GMP or equivalent international bodies. Getting and maintaining these approvals involves site inspections, quality system reviews, and regular compliance checks.   

Regulatory bodies also require bioequivalence or comparability testing before authorising a generic or biosimilar as a substitute for an originator product. This confirms the medicine offers equivalent therapeutic effect in the body as the original.

These quality and regulatory checks provide assurance regarding the manufacturing standards, quality systems, and traceability of the medicines.

What Does the Law Say About Importing Medicines for Personal Use in North Macedonia?

North Macedonian law provides a mechanism for individuals to import unregistered medicines for personal use, subject to specific conditions. The framework is set out in the Law on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (2012), administered by the Ministry of Health and the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (MALMED).

Under this framework, where a particular medicine is unapproved or unavailable in North Macedonia, legal provisions may allow its importation for personal use under certain circumstances. To import an unregistered medicine for personal use, the applicable requirements must be met, which may include the medicine being medically necessary for the treatment of a serious or specific health condition and not having a suitable approved alternative available in the country. 

A valid prescription from a licensed physician is mandatory. Additional conditions may apply depending on the medicine and individual circumstances.

Who May Import Medicines to North Macedonia?

Patients facing access barriers may explore importing medicines for personal use, subject to applicable requirements. This may include patients with cancer, rare diseases, chronic conditions, or other serious medical needs where a prescribed medicine is not registered or not available in North Macedonia. A valid prescription and supporting medical documentation are necessary. Other documents may be required depending on the medicine.

What Types of Medicines Can Be Sourced Through Personal Importation?

Patients may explore personal importation of prescription medicines across therapeutic areas including oncology, rare disease, HIV, hepatitis, autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, cardiology, multiple sclerosis, and others. MedsPartner can help patients in North Macedonia explore access to quality-assured generic, biosimilar, and equivalent options across these areas, subject to the applicable requirements under Macedonian law.

How Can I Be Sure a Medicine Is Not Counterfeit?

• Order only from verifiable, reputable sources. Check that the supplier can tell where the medicine was manufactured and that the facility holds internationally recognised regulatory approvals.
• Examine the packaging carefully when your order arrives. A genuine medicine will carry clear labelling showing the medicine name and strength, batch number, expiry date, manufacturer name, and country of manufacture.
• Prices that are implausibly low compared to other generic or biosimilar drug suppliers often indicate a counterfeit or substandard product.
• Do not purchase from online pharmacies that cannot provide manufacturer name or do not require a prescription.

What Quantity of Medicine Can Be Imported Into North Macedonia?

Usually up to 3 months of medicines are considered acceptable for personal use. The applicable quantity may depend on the medicine, the medical condition being treated, and the supporting documentation provided.

What Paperwork Is Required For Importing Medicines Into North Macedonia?

A valid prescription from your treating doctor is required, along with a medical report documenting your diagnosis and the clinical necessity for this specific medicine. Ministry of Health approval may also be required depending on the medicine and individual circumstances.

How Does the Process of Importing Medicines Into North Macedonia Work With MedsPartner?

Step 1 - Locate the medicine you need on the MedsPartner website.

Step 2 - Place an order request and share your documents. Submit your prescription and supporting documentation. No payment is needed at this point.

Step 3 - Our team examines your prescription and supporting documents and checks your eligibility for personal importation within 1-2 working days.

Step 4 - If you qualify, our team will explain the applicable ordering, payment, and shipping steps.

Step 5 - Once payment is received, your medicine is dispatched within 48 hours. You will receive tracking information for your shipment. Delivery times depend on the shipment and customs process.

For anything else, write to support@medspartner.com.

How Does Customs in North Macedonia Handle Imported Medicines?

Pharmaceutical shipments entering North Macedonia are assessed by the Customs Administration of North Macedonia. Clearance may depend on the specific medicine, quantities, documentation, and other circumstances. Any applicable duties or taxes are separate from MedsPartner's pricing and are paid directly to the relevant authority or carrier. MedsPartner can provide you an estimate of the applicable charges. We may also provide guidance regarding the customs process.

How Do I Trust the Quality of Medicines I Receive From MedsPartner?

MedsPartner sources from manufacturing facilities holding approvals from the USFDA, EMA, or similar internationally recognised regulatory bodies. These quality and regulatory checks provide assurance regarding the manufacturing standards, quality systems, and traceability of the medicines. All medicines have batch number, manufacturer name and expiry dates clearly mentioned and have at least 6 months shelf life remaining at the time of shipment.

MedsPartner holds a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot based on reviews from numerous patients and families. Our team has over 9 years of experience and have facilitated 30,000+ compliant personal importations to 45+ countries. 

Case Study - Accessing a Cancer Medicine in Skopje, North Macedonia

Maria*, a 48-year-old in Skopje, was diagnosed with HR-positive metastatic breast cancer. Her oncologist recommended a targeted therapy that was not registered with MALMED nor available at her local pharmacy.

A fellow patient she had connected with through a hospital support group mentioned that some patients had explored personal importation through international services. That’s how she got to know about MedsPartner. After submitting her prescription and medical documentation, she was guided by our team on compliant personal importation to North Macedonia, we checked her eligibility and documents and facilitated access to a quality-assured generic alternative, delivered to Skopje within nine days.

*Name changed for privacy

Frequently Asked Questions About Importing Medicines for Personal Use in North Macedonia

Q1. Is it legal to import a medicine for personal use in North Macedonia?

A - Macedonian law provides a pathway for individuals to import unregistered medicines for personal use when medically necessary and no approved local alternative exists, subject to applicable requirements. A valid prescription is mandatory. Write to support@medspartner.com for guidance on your specific medicine.

Q2. What documents do I need to import medicine to North Macedonia?

A - A valid prescription from your treating doctor and a medical report documenting your diagnosis and clinical need are required. Ministry of Health approval documentation may also be needed. Additional requirements may apply depending on the medicine and circumstances.

Q3. How long does delivery from MedsPartner take to North Macedonia?

A - Most medicine shipments arrive to North Macedonia within 7-10 business days from dispatch. Real-time tracking is provided from the moment your order leaves the facility, and our team is available if any questions arise.

Q4. What happens when my medicine goes through customs in North Macedonia?

A - Your shipment is assessed by the Customs Administration of North Macedonia based on its contents, quantities, declared value, and applicable requirements. Clearance may depend on the specific medicine, documentation, and other circumstances. MedsPartner can provide guidance regarding the customs process.

Q5. Do I have to pay duties or taxes on imported medicines in North Macedonia?

A - Any applicable duties or taxes are assessed on the declared value of the shipment and paid directly to the Customs Administration or the carrier - separate from MedsPartner's pricing. We can provide an estimate of the applicable charges for your specific shipment.

Q6. Why should I trust MedsPartner for my medicines?

A - MedsPartner’s team has been supporting patients across more than 45 countries for over nine years. We hold a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot from satisfied patients and families. We help patients source their medicines from manufacturing facilities holding approvals from the USFDA, EMA, PIC/S, or WHO-GMP, via compliant personal importation. These quality and regulatory checks provide assurance regarding the manufacturing standards, quality systems, and traceability of the medicines.

Q7. What happens if customs holds my shipment?

A - Pharmaceutical shipments may usually be held if the documentation is incomplete, the medicine does not meet the conditions for personal importation, or the quantity appears excessive. The outcome may depend on the specific medicine, documentation, and other circumstances. MedsPartner ships permitted medicines in compliance with permissible limits to prevent these scenarios. In the event that a shipment is still held by customs, MedsPartner can provide guidance regarding the customs process on a case-by-case basis.

Q8. Can refrigerated or biological medicines be shipped to North Macedonia?

A - Cold-chain shipping may be available for certain medicines. Contact support@medspartner.com to discuss your specific medicine and requirements before placing an order.

Useful Links for Patients in North Macedonia:

• Ministry of Health of North Macedonia
• MALMED - Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices
• Health Insurance Fund (HIF)
• Customs Administration of North Macedonia
• Institute of Public Health

Still have questions about importing a medicine for personal use in North Macedonia? Write to support@medspartner.com and our team can explain the personal importation and documentation process.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. North Macedonian import regulations are subject to change - always verify current requirements with MALMED or a qualified healthcare professional before proceeding. Please consult your physician for all treatment decisions.

About the Author - Atul Goyal combines operational insight with a strong understanding of global healthcare systems, honed through years of managing complex pharmaceutical supply chains. At MedsPartner, he leads efforts to streamline international medicine deliveries, balancing efficiency, compliance, and patient affordability. His experience spans logistics, pricing strategy, and regulatory frameworks, enabling him to navigate the evolving landscape of global medicine access with both precision and empathy.