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up to date · reviewed Jun 22, 2026
In force since Nov 20, 2024

Over-the-counter medicines: they may be displayed on shelves inside the pharmacy

Decreto 1024/2024
in forceNATIONALApplies the same nationwide Market deregulation

Decreto 1024/2024 allows over-the-counter medicines on the shelf inside the pharmacy, in sealed boxes and only for buyers over 18.

The other rules on this subject40

Mega-DNU 70/2023: repeals the Rentals, Shelves and Supply lawsDecreto 70/2023 (DNU-2023-70-APN-PTE)in force
Rentals: freedom of contract returnsDNU 70/2023, art. 249in force
The IGJ digitizes companies' financial statementsIGJ General Res. 9/2026 (RESOG-2026-9-APN-IGJ#MJ), Official Gazette Jul 2, 2026in force

What changed and who it applies to

What changed
It amends the regulation of Ley 17.565 (on pharmacy practice, regulated by Decreto 7123/68) to allow over-the-counter medicines to be displayed on shelves with direct public access within authorized pharmacies (a signposted shelf, the product in a closed box with a leaflet, sale only to those over 18 verified with ID). The decree also enables sale outside pharmacies (kiosks, supermarkets) limited to antacids and analgesics, expandable by the enforcement authority. The electronic signature/sale through electronic channels the decree mentions refers to the delivery of prescription medicines, not the OTC channel. Note: a court injunction (Federal Administrative Litigation Chamber, Panel I, Apr-2025, COFA/FEFARA case) reportedly halted the sale outside pharmacies by suspending articles of DNU 70/2023; that ruling was NOT opened in its judicial primary source, it is supported only by press — it is reported as pending, not as a fact of the decree. verif Nov 19, 2024 ↗
In force
In force since its publication in the Official Gazette: 11/20/2024 (the decree sets adaptation conditions for pharmacies). The eventual judicial halt to the sale outside pharmacies is not verified in a primary source. verif Nov 20, 2024 ↗
Who it applies to
Authorized pharmacies (which can reorganize the OTC shelf display), OTC laboratories and distributors, and consumers over 18. The 'outside pharmacies' portion (antacids and analgesics in kiosks and supermarkets) is enabled by the decree but its effective validity depends on the status of the COFA/FEFARA litigation, not verified in a judicial primary source. verif Nov 20, 2024 ↗
The norm
Decreto 1024/2024 (PEN, the national executive), signed on Nov 19, 2024 by Milei, Francos (Cabinet Chief) and Lugones (Health Minister); published in the Boletín Oficial on Nov 20, 2024 (notice 317126). It amends the regulation of Ley 17.565 approved by Decreto 7123/68. (Confirmed in the BO: number, signing, publication, signatories, the rule being regulated and the content). The court suspension of the 'outside pharmacies' portion, attributed to an injunction over articles of DNU 70/2023, was NOT verified at a primary judicial source; it remains pending. verif Nov 20, 2024 ↗

Our reading

Another piece of deregulation (R4 · opening and deregulation): over-the-counter medicines move from the counter to the shelf within the pharmacy, bringing the product closer to the consumer and opening competition in OTC. The decree also enables a limited extra-pharmacy channel (antacids and analgesics). Full validity of that extra-pharmacy channel is subject to judicial litigation by the pharmacy entities — a piece to watch before assuming full opening. thesis

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