Belgium
As of September 1st, 2025, the Algemene Pharmaceutische Bond (APB – General Pharmaceutical Association in Belgium) has ceased the publication of recommended retail prices (RRP) for products that do not fall under regulated pricing schemes. This decision is driven by competition law concerns: when a sector association like APB disseminates RRPs across a wide network, it may inadvertently facilitate price alignment among market participants – potentially constituting anti-competitive behavior under EU and Belgian law.
What does this mean for Companies like yours?
While federations like the APB are no longer permitted to communicate RRPs, individual companies may still share indicative pricing, provided they remain fully compliant with competition rules.
Companies may:
- Communicate a non-binding RRP through their own channels (e.g. price lists, product sheets, extranet);
- Do so without exerting pressure or offering incentives to retailers to adopt the suggested price;
- Ensure that any RRP is clearly labeled as indicative and non-mandatory (e.g., do not use wordings as “must be sold at…” or “minimum price”.
Conclusion: As long as there is no incentive, threat, or commercial condition attached to compliance with the RRP, a company can continue to communicate this in its own media: PDF price list, product sheet, extranet, etc.
Recommended full wording:
- “Recommended Retail Price: The price listed is for information only. Our customers remain fully free to set their own retail prices. This indication is non-binding and carries no commercial obligation.”
Recommended short wording (e.g. in tables or technical sheets):
- “Indicative RRP: €XX.XX (non-binding – retailer sets final price).”
IQVIA Launches Voluntary Price Database
As a complementary initiative, IQVIA has developed a central, neutral, and cost-free database where companies can voluntarily submit both ex-factory prices and recommended retail prices (RRPs) for inclusion.
This tool is designed to support transparency in the market while fully respecting competition law. Use of the database is entirely optional—there is no contractual obligation for industry stakeholders, pharmacists, or IT providers to participate. Access is free of charge.
The usefulness and reliability of the database will depend on broad participation across the sector and a high volume of submitted pricing data.
Please contact IQVIA for access.
Source: Be-sup