Pharmaceuticals; notification of retail trade outside pharmacies

Outside of pharmacies, retailers may only sell so-called over-the-counter medicines. Businesses and establishments must notify the local authority of this activity before commencing it. This also applies to individuals who carry out these activities on a self-employed and professional basis. The sale of medicines in the itinerant trade must also be notified to the local authority before commencing. This notification under the Medicines Act must be submitted to the local authority in addition to the business registration under the Trade Regulation Act.

Notes: The
retail sale of over-the-counter medicines may only be carried out if the business owner, or a person legally appointed to represent the business owner, or a person commissioned by the business owner to manage the business or handle sales, possesses the necessary expertise.

In the case of companies with several operating centres, there must be one person with the relevant expertise for each operating centre.

Proof of expertise must always be provided by passing an examination at the relevant Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Certain examinations and certificates (e.g. pharmaceutical commercial clerk, pharmaceutical technical assistant) are also recognised as proof of expertise.