DIFFICULTIES IN THE LIBERALIZATION OF THE MARKET OF OTC MEDICATIONS IN REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA AND EXPERIENCES FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Merita Dauti, Arlinda Haxhiu-Zajmi, Edita Alili-Idrizi, Sihana Ahmeti- Lika, Gjylai Alija

Abstract

Amendments to the Law on Medicines and Medical Devices (Official Gazette 27/2014) allow the marketing of OTC drugs outside pharmacies. Despite numerous controversies among the concerned parties, in February 2014, the Ministry of Health announced a list of medicines that can be sold at certain points of sale, namely in supermarkets and gas stations, arguing that the sale of OTC medications outside pharmacies is a practice that has been implemented in several European countries and, in addition, the increased market competition will lead to lower prices for these medicines. Practically, the European countries share different views on this issue. In 10 out of the 28 European countries there is a monopoly in the pharmaceutical sector in terms of the sale of OTC medicines, whereas in the remaining 18 countries, OTC medicines can be sold outside pharmacies. In addition, the range of OTC medicines that can be sold outside pharmacies varies among different countries. In some countries, the list of medications that can be sold outside pharmacies is quite restricted. In the Republic of North Macedonia, this list includes 108 drugs. This approach in the sale of OTC drugs in Republic of North Macedonia has been viewed with a great deal of skepticism by pharmacists. Its implementation in practice remains a challenge for relevant institutions in the country.

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