Over-the-counter medicines: to the shelf

It amends the regulation of Law 17.565 (on pharmacy practice, regulated by Decree 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 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 ↗

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 ↗