Sale of medicines at gas stations: which drugs can be purchased at gas stations starting today
3 March 18:05
Starting March 3, gas stations in Ukraine are allowed to sell over-the-counter medicines. These include antipyretics, analgesics, and sorbents. Only stations with the appropriate license can do this. This became possible thanks to Resolution No. 275, adopted the day before by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, as reported on the government’s website, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The document specifies the mechanism of action of Resolution No. 1803 “On Amendments to the Licensing Conditions for Economic Activities in the Production of Medicines, Wholesale and Retail Trade in Medicines, Import of Medicines (except for active pharmaceutical ingredients),” approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on December 26 last year.
Despite simplifying access to medicines for buyers, the requirements for gas stations themselves are quite strict. Not every cashier will be able to dispense drugs. The government has clearly defined that only a specialist with a special education — no lower than a junior bachelor’s degree in pharmacy — has the right to sell medicines at a gas station.
In addition, each gas station must have a special form of information about its material and technical base and personnel, and the documents must clearly indicate the specific area where medicines are sold.
Requirements for the sale of medicines at gas stations
- To start selling over-the-counter medicines at gas stations, businesses must submit documents to the State Service of Ukraine for Medicines and Drug Control to obtain a license in a special form adapted to this format of trade.
- The documents must clearly indicate the gas station number and the specific area where the trade is carried out.
- Gas stations must ensure proper storage conditions for medicines in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements in a special area separate from other goods.
- If a license and appropriate conditions are available, gas stations are allowed to sell only over-the-counter medicines. They can also be sold through vending machines, provided that an authorized person conducts incoming control and loads the medicines into the machines.
- Ensuring the processes of obtaining medicines and conducting incoming control by an authorized person of the business entity who has a higher education document not lower than a junior bachelor’s degree in the specialty “Pharmacy, Industrial Pharmacy” and who is responsible for the functioning of the quality system for medicines within one region.
- Over-the-counter medicines may be dispensed by gas station employees, but the business entity that holds the license is responsible for compliance with the licensing conditions.
What medicines can be purchased at gas stations
The list of medicines that can be sold without a prescription is approved by order of the Ministry of Health. These include:
- Painkillers and antipyretics: paracetamol, ibuprofen.
- Cold and cough remedies: nasal sprays and drops to ease breathing (based on sea water, decongestants), preparations with plant extracts, lozenges, and throat syrups.
- Vitamins and general tonics: vitamin C, vitamin A, multivitamin complexes, mineral supplements.
- Remedies for normalizing digestion: antacids to reduce heartburn, enzyme preparations, plant-based remedies to calm the gastrointestinal tract.
- External and local remedies: ointments and gels for muscles and joints, medical plasters and bandages, moisturizing and antiseptic eye drops.
The Cabinet of Ministers explained that the introduction of such changes is aimed at increasing the physical availability of over-the-counter medicines in conditions of limited operation of the pharmacy network and uneven distribution of pharmacies throughout Ukraine.
