pharmacy

One of the quickest and easiest ways to bring health services closer to consumers is to extend the ability to sell selected over-the-counter (OTC) medications in retail outlets while expanding the competencies of pharmacies. In terms of the openness of OTC medication sales, there are no uniform rules across Europe. About half of European countries allow OTC medicines to be sold outside pharmacies under various conditions.

‘To serve or to rule?’ – this is a dilemma we face as we reflect on the fundamental principles of “the scope of powers [of the state] shall be limited by the Constitution” and “state institutions shall serve the people” on the occasion of the Constitution Day.

The European Commission has launched an initiative on the evaluation and revision of the general pharmaceutical legislation with an overall aim to ensure a future-proof and crisis-resistant regulatory system. The revision is intended to ensure access to affordable medicines, to foster innovation, including in areas of unmet medical need, to improve security of supply and address shortages, to promote technological development and to reduce red tape.

The fight against speculation is a traditional topic for politicians, which became especially popular during the state of emergency declared on March 13, 2020. These are all topics that affect many spheres of our lives and where human action seeks a solution but politicians have put up unnecessary barriers.