Retail sale of OTC medicines
Retail sale of non-prescription (over-the-counter) medicinal products in places other than pharmacies, for example in the grocery sector, must be notified to the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA).
In Sweden, certain non-prescription medicinal products may be sold at outlets which are not pharmacies. However, medicinal products are not like any other product, and if handled incorrectly, they can cause harm to humans and the environment. Therefore, all handling of medicinal products is carefully monitored during manufacture, wholesale distribution and retail sale in pharmacies or other outlets.
Non-prescription medicinal products may be sold at outlets other than pharmacies, such as food shops and petrol stations, to consumers for self-medication. It is not permitted for a retailer to sell medicinal products to another company.
The Swedish MPA decides which non-prescription medicinal products may be sold.
To be allowed to sell non-prescription medicinal products in retail outlets other than pharmacies the retailer must notify its trade to the Swedish MPA.
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Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket)
Opening hours: weekdays 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CET
Telephone: +46 (0)18-17 46 00
Email: registrator@lakemedelsverket.se