Our business idea is to be the largest and most profitable supplier of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products and related logistical solutions and pharmacy concepts in Norway. In order to obtain this target we are working closely together with pharmacies, pharmacy chains, professional clients, manufactures and suppliers in the Norwegian market.

NMD has 3 local depots - in Oslo, Trondheim and Harstad - which secures daily deliveries to more than 220 pharmacies spread from north to south in our long strechted country. The logistic processes are partly automated, and quality standards are very high.

The company has been ISO approved in accordance with the ISO standard NS-EN ISO 9001:2000 since 1995.

NMD owns the chain concept Ditt Apotek which currently has approx 75 member pharmacies. An extensive chain service menu with assortment and logistics as main co-operation modules is offered to the members.

Brief history overview
NMD commenced its operations on 1 November 1957 in accordance with the Norsk Medisinaldepot Act passed by the Norwegian Parliament in 1953.  NMD thereby assumed the sole right to operate wholesale trade, export and import of pharmaceutical products in Norway.  The establishment of NMD as a state enterprise was a part of the national health policy of the time.

In the mid-1990s major changes were made to NMD’s operational mandate.  Negotiations in respect of the European Economic Area Agreement (“EEA Agreement”) made it necessary for Norway to harmonise its regulations for trade in pharmaceuticals with the European Union rules, and with effect from I January 1994 NMD lost its monopoly position.  As part of the preparations to adapt to a competitive situation, NMD was converted to a limited company on 1 January 1993.  Over the course of the 1990s NMD implemented a number of measures in order to become a competitive player in a deregulated market. 

In June 1999 the Norwegian Parliament resolved, on the basis of a recommendation from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, to sell 17% of the shares in NMD to the Dutch pharmaceutical wholesaler OPG.

In 2001 NMD was acquired 100 per cent by Celesio AG. The two operating Celesio subsidiaries NMD Grossisthandel AS and the retail chain Vitusapotek AS merged 1 October 2007 and they are now operating under the group name Norsk Medisinaldepot AS. However, the wholly owned pharmacies are still named Vitusapotek.

Contact details for International Enquiries:

Trade Manager: Mr Sverre Berntsen
Tel: +47 22 16 98 97
Fax: +47 22 16 96 42
Mobile: +47 951 49 186
E-mail: Sverre.Berntsen@nmd.no