Is taking the agency for a specific medicine considered hoarding?

The questioner : What is the ruling, O Shaykh, on a person who wants to take the agency for a specific medicine that is not distributed in Jordan, for example, except through this person? Is this considered hoarding, O Shaykh?

The Shaykh : How?
Abu Malik : Now, we have what is called commercial agencies. A man travels to Europe, to Germany, Italy, or France, and finds a pharmaceutical company that manufactures medicines. He agrees with them that the import rights belong to him alone and to no one else. This is, of course, known in company law and is internationally recognized. The company supplies only him, and if the company exports to someone else or agrees with another partner, he files a lawsuit against them and demands very large damages. Is the reverse also the case?

The Shaykh : Yes, if this agreement does not result in him controlling the prices of medicines and raising them for the people, and if this price increase does not follow from it, then it is permissible. Otherwise, it is not.