Profile

As an attorney, I assist companies in the Life Sciences sector in a wide variety of issues, often with a regulatory connection.

I specialize in Life Sciences and thus work with legal issues in, for example, the pharmaceutical, medical technology, cosmetics and food sectors. I focus primarily on regulatory issues, such as market access as well as marketing and distribution within the mentioned sectors and in other strictly regulated industries, but also work with commercial disputes.

My daily work includes various types of permits, price and subsidy issues, substitution, data protection, collaboration between industry and health care and medical personnel, information and marketing, and various types of agreements in the area, such as research, development – and other cooperation agreements. My work also includes commercial disputes in both court and arbitration.

For many years I worked with pharmaceutical and pharmacy legislation at the Swedish Government Offices and have been deeply involved in the Government’s reform work in the pharmacy market, first as first secretary to the report that led to the deregulation of the pharmacy market, and thereafter as subject specialist at the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. I am also trained judge and associate judge of appeal in the Court of Appeal of Skåne and Blekinge. In addition, I am also a speaker at seminars and confer-ences in the relevant industries and have written a large number of articles in Life Sciences.

Språk: English, Swedish, Swedish

Karriär

2011-

Setterwalls

2001-2010

The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, expert and enquiry secretary

2000-2001

Skåne and Blekinge Court of Appeal, associate judge

1999-2000

Malmö District Court, reporting clerk

1998-1999

Skåne and Blekinge Court of Appeal, reporting clerk

1996-1998

Kalmar District Court, law clerk

1996

Lund University, LL.M.

Rekommendationer

  • “Helena Nilsson is very knowledgeable about us as a client, about the regulatory framework we operate in, and the legal context for the industry.”

    Legal 500

  • “Helena Nilsson knows the regulatory work in detail.”

    Legal 500

  • “She really stands out in the life sciences sector.”

    Lexology

  • “Helena has had a long and broad experience in the life sciences industry, and has a keen interest to understand business goals and tactics.”

    Client Choice

  • “Over several years, Helena Nilsson and her associates skilfully navigated complex legal issues to achieve a successful outcome. She is incredibly knowledgeable and brings a calm, practical manner to litigation, which is highly unusual. I have worked with Helena and her team for the last 10 years. They are unfailingly responsive, reliable and trustworthy.”

    Legal 500

  • “Applying her extensive experience and skills in the life sciences industry, Helena Nilsson has been instrumental in several of our key projects and cases.”

    Legal 500

  • “Helena is very hands-on and client orientated. She is pragmatic, down-to-earth without losing focus on critical business objectives”

    Who's Who Legal

Case

Case | 03 Mar 2025

Setterwalls advised in connection with the Swedish Competition Authority’s investigation of suspected coordination of price levels on generic drugs

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Case | 04 Jul 2024

Setterwalls has advised EQL Pharma in connection with listing on Nasdaq Stockholm

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Case | 26 Apr 2024

Setterwalls has assisted KKR in connection with the acquisition of Immedica Pharma

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Case | 30 Oct 2020

The Swedish Food Agency’s fees deemed in violation of EU law – Setterwalls has successfully represented several meat producers in the Administrative Court of Appeal

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Case | 13 Mar 2019

Setterwalls has assisted Ascelia Pharma in this year’s first listing at Nasdaq Stockholm

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Case | 03 Jan 2018

Setterwalls advisor to Sverigeförhandlingen

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Case | 21 Jun 2017

Setterwalls assists BONESUPPORT in connection with listing on Nasdaq Stockholm

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Case | 15 May 2017

Setterwalls advises Integrum AB (publ) in connection with its IPO on Nasdaq First North

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Case | 23 Nov 2016

Setterwalls assists Alligator Bioscience AB in connection with listing on Nasdaq Stockholm

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Case | 10 Jun 2014

Setterwalls assists LIDDS in connection with fundraising and listing on NASDAQ OMX First North

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Artiklar

Setterwalls Life Sciences Report May 2026
News | 22 May 2026

Setterwalls Life Sciences Report May 2026

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The Swedish Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency proposes new regulations on applications for subsidies and the pricing of medicinal products
News | 22 May 2026

The Swedish Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency proposes new regulations on applications for subsidies and the pricing of medicinal products

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The Swedish Government is proposing new rules to enhance controls of fraud within the agri-food chain
News | 22 May 2026

The Swedish Government is proposing new rules to enhance controls of fraud within the agri-food chain

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Further reading on the new pharmaceutical inquiry
News | 22 May 2026

Further reading on the new pharmaceutical inquiry

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The Swedish Medical Products Agency is stepping up its market surveillance of e-commerce in medical devices
News | 14 Apr 2026

The Swedish Medical Products Agency is stepping up its market surveillance of e-commerce in medical devices

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The Swedish Government is appointing a new medical products inquiry
News | 30 Mar 2026

The Swedish Government is appointing a new medical products inquiry

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Setterwalls Life Sciences Report November 2025
News | 24 Nov 2025

Setterwalls Life Sciences Report November 2025

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Two Judgments on Sales of Alcoholic Beverages in Sweden on Producers’ Sites – Opening Hours Are Not Required to Match Those of Systembolaget
News | 24 Nov 2025

Two Judgments on Sales of Alcoholic Beverages in Sweden on Producers’ Sites – Opening Hours Are Not Required to Match Those of Systembolaget

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Updates in the ethical rules – how are pharmaceutical companies affected?
News | 24 Nov 2025

Updates in the ethical rules – how are pharmaceutical companies affected?

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EU restricts Chinese participation in medical device procurement
News | 24 Jun 2025

EU restricts Chinese participation in medical device procurement

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Withdrawal of the proposed Green Claims Directive by the European Commission
News | 23 Jun 2025

Withdrawal of the proposed Green Claims Directive by the European Commission

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Setterwalls Life Sciences Report May 2025
News | 22 May 2025

Setterwalls Life Sciences Report May 2025

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Important decision on the distinction between marketing and non-commercial information in relation to medicinal products
News | 22 May 2025

Important decision on the distinction between marketing and non-commercial information in relation to medicinal products

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Significant fine upheld for unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food sector: A landmark case on the Swedish implementation of the UTP Directive
News | 22 May 2025

Significant fine upheld for unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food sector: A landmark case on the Swedish implementation of the UTP Directive

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Court ruling: Delivery of cosmetic products that do not comply with labelling requirements constitutes an unfair marketing practice
News | 22 May 2025

Court ruling: Delivery of cosmetic products that do not comply with labelling requirements constitutes an unfair marketing practice

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EU introduces stricter rules on plastic food contact materials
News | 22 May 2025

EU introduces stricter rules on plastic food contact materials

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Part II: The relationship between the GDPR and the AI Act
News | 28 Jan 2025

Part II: The relationship between the GDPR and the AI Act

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Part III: Key Considerations for the Life Sciences Sector
News | 23 Jan 2025

Part III: Key Considerations for the Life Sciences Sector

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Navigating the EU AI Act, Part I: The “AI Act Roadmap”
News | 23 Jan 2025

Navigating the EU AI Act, Part I: The “AI Act Roadmap”

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Life Sciences Report November 2024
News | 25 Nov 2024

Life Sciences Report November 2024

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Preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice on plant-based “steak” and “sausage”
News | 24 Nov 2024

Preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice on plant-based “steak” and “sausage”

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The EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation will soon apply
News | 24 Nov 2024

The EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation will soon apply

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Fighting Antibiotic Resistance: Global and European legal strategies driving research and innovation
News | 24 Nov 2024

Fighting Antibiotic Resistance: Global and European legal strategies driving research and innovation

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Updates in the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code
News | 24 Nov 2024

Updates in the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code

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An updated Swedish national strategy for life sciences
News | 24 Nov 2024

An updated Swedish national strategy for life sciences

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The Swedish and Danish Competition Authorities have carried out dawn raids at companies active in the pharmaceutical sector
News | 09 Sep 2024

The Swedish and Danish Competition Authorities have carried out dawn raids at companies active in the pharmaceutical sector

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The Swedish Supreme Administrative Court seeks guidance from the CJEU on the interpretation of the provisions of EU law on the labelling of food for special medical purposes
News | 29 May 2024

The Swedish Supreme Administrative Court seeks guidance from the CJEU on the interpretation of the provisions of EU law on the labelling of food for special medical purposes

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EMA’s new recommendations to strengthen supply chains of critical medicines – a short recap of what and why
News | 29 May 2024

EMA’s new recommendations to strengthen supply chains of critical medicines – a short recap of what and why

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Labelling sausages “riktig korv” (eng. real sausage) was misleading
News | 29 May 2024

Labelling sausages “riktig korv” (eng. real sausage) was misleading

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Switch and substitution of biological medicinal products in pharmacies
News | 29 May 2024

Switch and substitution of biological medicinal products in pharmacies

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Overview of recent developments regarding the distinction between marketing and non-commercial information in relation to medicinal products
News | 29 May 2024

Overview of recent developments regarding the distinction between marketing and non-commercial information in relation to medicinal products

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Life Sciences Report May 2024
News | 29 May 2024

Life Sciences Report May 2024

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ICLG Drug and Medical Device Litigation Guide 2024: Setterwalls’ specialists explain the regulatory framework for the life sciences industry
News | 23 Apr 2024

ICLG Drug and Medical Device Litigation Guide 2024: Setterwalls’ specialists explain the regulatory framework for the life sciences industry

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EU Commission Proposes New Late Payment Regulation
News | 07 Feb 2024

EU Commission Proposes New Late Payment Regulation

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The start of something bigger? First administrative fines based on the UTP Directive now imposed in Sweden
News | 18 Dec 2023

The start of something bigger? First administrative fines based on the UTP Directive now imposed in Sweden

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Life Sciences Report December 2023
News | 06 Dec 2023

Life Sciences Report December 2023

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Switch of biological medicinal products
News | 06 Dec 2023

Switch of biological medicinal products

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Pharmaceutical marketing compliance
News | 06 Dec 2023

Pharmaceutical marketing compliance

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National exceptions for relabelling with new safety features – increased legal certainty and patient safety?
News | 06 Dec 2023

National exceptions for relabelling with new safety features – increased legal certainty and patient safety?

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EU Artificial Intelligence Act: potential implications for healthcare AI
News | 06 Dec 2023

EU Artificial Intelligence Act: potential implications for healthcare AI

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Life Sciences Report May 2023
News | 23 May 2023

Life Sciences Report May 2023

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Extended transition period for MDR
News | 23 May 2023

Extended transition period for MDR

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Proposed new rules on access to sales data on medicines for human use
News | 23 May 2023

Proposed new rules on access to sales data on medicines for human use

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The European Commission proposes directive to combat greenwashing
News | 23 May 2023

The European Commission proposes directive to combat greenwashing

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Swedish Food Agency says ‘probiotics’ cannot be used as category name for food supplements
News | 23 May 2023

Swedish Food Agency says ‘probiotics’ cannot be used as category name for food supplements

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Commission proposes EU pharmaceutical reform
News | 23 May 2023

Commission proposes EU pharmaceutical reform

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ICLG – Drug and Medical Device Litigation 2023: Setterwalls’ specialists explain the regulatory framework for the life sciences industry
News | 17 Apr 2023

ICLG – Drug and Medical Device Litigation 2023: Setterwalls’ specialists explain the regulatory framework for the life sciences industry

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Proposal for a directive on new rules on environmental claims
News | 23 Mar 2023

Proposal for a directive on new rules on environmental claims

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Life Sciences Report November 2022
News | 11 Nov 2022

Life Sciences Report November 2022

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Clarifications on the marketing of electronic cigarettes and refill containers
News | 11 Nov 2022

Clarifications on the marketing of electronic cigarettes and refill containers

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TLV reviews the price cap system
News | 11 Nov 2022

TLV reviews the price cap system

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Classification of products in the borderland between cosmetic and medicinal products
News | 11 Nov 2022

Classification of products in the borderland between cosmetic and medicinal products

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Update of Standard Contractual Clauses: the deadline is approaching
News | 17 Oct 2022

Update of Standard Contractual Clauses: the deadline is approaching

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Life Sciences Report May 2022
News | 23 May 2022

Life Sciences Report May 2022

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Use of nutrition and health claims in trademarks and brand names
News | 23 May 2022

Use of nutrition and health claims in trademarks and brand names

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TLV presents methods for health economic evaluations for new therapies
News | 23 May 2022

TLV presents methods for health economic evaluations for new therapies

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The new regulation on in vitro diagnostic medical devices becomes applicable
News | 19 May 2022

The new regulation on in vitro diagnostic medical devices becomes applicable

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Setterwalls’ specialists explain the regulatory framework for life sciences products and services in the ICLG: Drug and Medical Device Litigation 2022
News | 22 Apr 2022

Setterwalls’ specialists explain the regulatory framework for life sciences products and services in the ICLG: Drug and Medical Device Litigation 2022

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CTIS – A new single application point for clinical trials in the EU
News | 25 Nov 2021

CTIS – A new single application point for clinical trials in the EU

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Life Sciences Report November 2021
News | 25 Nov 2021

Life Sciences Report November 2021

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Life Sciences Report May 2021
News | 24 May 2021

Life Sciences Report May 2021

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The Patent and Market Court of Appeal rejects the Image Rule of the Alcohol Act – a high-profile case about moderation and proportionality
News | 24 May 2021

The Patent and Market Court of Appeal rejects the Image Rule of the Alcohol Act – a high-profile case about moderation and proportionality

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Marketing restrictions, age requirements and health warnings? – Proposed new regulations for tobacco-free nicotine products
News | 24 May 2021

Marketing restrictions, age requirements and health warnings? – Proposed new regulations for tobacco-free nicotine products

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Changed rules on the Swedish Keyhole label – Can ready meals be healthy?
News | 24 May 2021

Changed rules on the Swedish Keyhole label – Can ready meals be healthy?

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Health claims for botanical products
News | 24 May 2021

Health claims for botanical products

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Setterwalls' specialists explain the regulatory framework for life sciences products and services in the ICLG: Drug and Medical Device Litigation 2021
News | 26 Apr 2021

Setterwalls' specialists explain the regulatory framework for life sciences products and services in the ICLG: Drug and Medical Device Litigation 2021

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LIF Calls for Review of Parallel-import Clauses in Side Agreements
News | 13 Nov 2020

LIF Calls for Review of Parallel-import Clauses in Side Agreements

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Increased Restrictions on the Use and Manufacture of Products Containing PFOA
News | 13 Nov 2020

Increased Restrictions on the Use and Manufacture of Products Containing PFOA

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New Rules on Tariff Rate Quotas for Importing Agricultural Products
News | 13 Nov 2020

New Rules on Tariff Rate Quotas for Importing Agricultural Products

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Life Sciences Report November 2020
News | 12 Nov 2020

Life Sciences Report November 2020

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Recent interpretation of EU law allows sale of insects as food on the Swedish market
News | 05 Nov 2020

Recent interpretation of EU law allows sale of insects as food on the Swedish market

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Life Sciences Report May 2020
News | 26 May 2020

Life Sciences Report May 2020

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Brexit happened – what will occur to your EU IP rights?
News | 25 May 2020

Brexit happened – what will occur to your EU IP rights?

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New EU rules on origin labelling of food improve consumer protection
News | 14 May 2020

New EU rules on origin labelling of food improve consumer protection

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COVID-19: The EU Commission adopts digital toolbox in order to support exit strategies
News | 17 Apr 2020

COVID-19: The EU Commission adopts digital toolbox in order to support exit strategies

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The EU Commission proposes postponement of the MDR
News | 07 Apr 2020

The EU Commission proposes postponement of the MDR

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Clinical trials during a pandemic – COVID-19 and its impact on clinical trials
News | 27 Mar 2020

Clinical trials during a pandemic – COVID-19 and its impact on clinical trials

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The Commission seeks to delay the implementation of MDR by one year
News | 26 Mar 2020

The Commission seeks to delay the implementation of MDR by one year

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MedTech Europe calls for postponement of implementation of MDR and IVDR
News | 24 Mar 2020

MedTech Europe calls for postponement of implementation of MDR and IVDR

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Life Sciences Report November 2019
News | 28 Nov 2019

Life Sciences Report November 2019

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Brexit – a never-ending story?
News | 20 Nov 2019

Brexit – a never-ending story?

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Pricing and financing of pharmaceuticals
News | 16 May 2019

Pricing and financing of pharmaceuticals

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Collaborative model for introduction of medtech
News | 16 May 2019

Collaborative model for introduction of medtech

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Restricted access to statistics – a threat to the pharmaceutical market in Sweden?
News | 16 May 2019

Restricted access to statistics – a threat to the pharmaceutical market in Sweden?

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Government mandate to Swedish Medical Products Agency regarding off-label prescribing
News | 16 May 2019

Government mandate to Swedish Medical Products Agency regarding off-label prescribing

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Medical Device Regulation: halfway there?
News | 15 Nov 2018

Medical Device Regulation: halfway there?

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Insurance coverage when medications are prescribed off-label
News | 15 Nov 2018

Insurance coverage when medications are prescribed off-label

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Life Sciences Report November 2018
News | 01 Nov 2018

Life Sciences Report November 2018

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Inquiry into the protection of research results in Sweden
News | 22 May 2018

Inquiry into the protection of research results in Sweden

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Harmonised European whistleblower protection rules: a proposed new directive and implications for life sciences
News | 22 May 2018

Harmonised European whistleblower protection rules: a proposed new directive and implications for life sciences

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EMA prepares for Brexit
News | 06 Nov 2017

EMA prepares for Brexit

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Processing Personal Data in Health and Medical Care
News | 06 Nov 2017

Processing Personal Data in Health and Medical Care

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Opinion from the Advocate General regarding classification of software as medical devices
News | 06 Nov 2017

Opinion from the Advocate General regarding classification of software as medical devices

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Two new regulations for medical devices
News | 17 May 2017

Two new regulations for medical devices

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Review of the system for funding, reimbursing and pricing of medicines
News | 17 May 2017

Review of the system for funding, reimbursing and pricing of medicines

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New rules for safety features on packaging
News | 02 Nov 2016

New rules for safety features on packaging

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Mail order pharmacies in other EU states may disregard fixed pricing, says European Court of Justice
News | 01 Nov 2016

Mail order pharmacies in other EU states may disregard fixed pricing, says European Court of Justice

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“Active Bacteria” an Illegal Health Claim
News | 17 May 2016

“Active Bacteria” an Illegal Health Claim

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E-cigarettes are not medicinal products  in Sweden
News | 17 May 2016

E-cigarettes are not medicinal products in Sweden

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Life Sciences Report November 2015
News | 25 Nov 2015

Life Sciences Report November 2015

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Must the app be CE marked?
News | 01 Nov 2015

Must the app be CE marked?

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Focus of the new phamaceutical and pharmacy investigation
News | 01 Nov 2015

Focus of the new phamaceutical and pharmacy investigation

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Life Sciences Report May 2015
News | 20 May 2015

Life Sciences Report May 2015

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Pharmaceutical products for animals, automated dose dispensing of pharmaceuticals and pricing of orphan medicinal products
News | 02 May 2015

Pharmaceutical products for animals, automated dose dispensing of pharmaceuticals and pricing of orphan medicinal products

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See your doctor in the ”cloud” – click send and say aahhh!
News | 01 May 2015

See your doctor in the ”cloud” – click send and say aahhh!

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Life Sciences Report November 2014
News | 28 Nov 2014

Life Sciences Report November 2014

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New ceiling price model in Sweden’s pharmaceutical benefits system
News | 01 Nov 2014

New ceiling price model in Sweden’s pharmaceutical benefits system

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CJEU: A product must have a beneficial effect to be a medical product
News | 01 Nov 2014

CJEU: A product must have a beneficial effect to be a medical product

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Life Sciences Report May 2014
News | 23 May 2014

Life Sciences Report May 2014

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Pharmaceuticals for Special Needs
News | 01 May 2014

Pharmaceuticals for Special Needs

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Pricing and availability of pharmaceuticals
News | 01 May 2014

Pricing and availability of pharmaceuticals

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