Background & Purpose

To make certain medicines more accessible while maintaining safety, the government proposed a new way to handle non-prescription drugs that require professional guidance.

The Decision

The parliament approved the creation of a new 'pharmacist assortment' category, allowing specific medicines to be sold without a prescription if a pharmacist provides mandatory advice.

Does this affect you?

  • Pharmacy customers: You will have easier access to certain medicines without needing a doctor's visit, but you must consult a pharmacist before buying.
  • Pharmacists: They will take on a new responsibility to provide mandatory, specific advice for this new category of medicines.

In Practice

  • Certain medicines will move from prescription-only to being available without a prescription.
  • You must speak with a pharmacist at the point of sale to purchase these specific products.
  • The new rules ensure that you get professional guidance even when you do not have a doctor's prescription.
  • The new pharmacy assortment will be available starting 1 January 2027.