Faroese government moves to restrict online medication access for travellers

The Faroese government has proposed tightening rules on personal medication imports, closing a loophole that currently allows travellers to bring prescription drugs for personal use by ordering them online, Kringvarp Føroya reports.

A legislative amendment, previously shelved before the last parliamentary election, has now resurfaced. The change would replace the term “persons” with “travellers” in the law, explicitly limiting the exemption to those physically entering the Faroe Islands. The government argues that current regulations—interpreted by the National Health Board to permit online orders—were never intended to cover remote purchases.

Under the Faroese system, personal-use medication cannot legally be ordered online. The Health Committee had recommended approving the amendment before the election, but the process stalled when parliament dissolved.

The proposal follows concerns that the existing wording, which does not restrict the exemption to in-person arrivals, has enabled online imports contrary to regulatory intent.