Supplies of some types of medical and pharmaceutical products from Finland will be completely stopped

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, at the request of the Government of the country, has prepared a decree on restricting exports to Russia of medical and pharmaceutical products included in the EU sanctions lists. The State authorities fear that such goods may be used for military purposes.

Previously, such supplies were allowed under special exclusive licenses, which were issued on medical or pharmaceutical grounds. The new rules imply an absolute refusal to issue such permits.

The Finnish Foreign Ministry assured that for non-medical goods, it will still be possible to request exclusive licenses for humanitarian reasons within the framework of EU sanctions legislation.

A number of medical products are not subject to sanctions at all, and permits are not required for their export. For example, hospital beds, operating rooms and diagnostic tables from Lojer-Merivaara, the largest manufacturer of hospital furniture in Northern Europe. Their exports will continue.

According to the Yle TV channel, an average of five to ten applications for exclusive licenses are received per year. In 2025, there were three such companies. Among them are PaloDEx Group Oy, a manufacturer of dental equipment, Pribori Holding Oy, a company producing products for fetal and newborn screening, and Cytomed Oy, a drug manufacturer.

The document is expected to enter into force in July 2026.