A row has broken out between parallel importers of medicines and local pharmaceutical companies over the planned introduction of a law barring importation. Those who trade in parallel imported medical products claim they are being harassed by Pharmacy and Poisons Board officials and the Police. Parallel importation means that a country can source for patented products from countries where they are cheaper rather than buy locally from manufacturers who are mostly multinationals. It is a key provision in the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (Trips) agreement.