Venezuelan Government Develops Sale of OTC Drugs

Non-prescription drugs in Venezuela have been given a new lease on life following a ruling from Venezuela's Supreme Court in December 2003, which came into action during Q4 2004. The decision allows for the sale of non-prescription drugs, which can now be sold through any commercial establishment, as long as the retail outlet is under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, and the medicine offered has been registered and authorised for sale by the Ministry of Health.

In a further development, as a part of its stringent control on pharmaceuticals advertising, the Venezuelan government has restricted the advertising of prescription medicines solely to health professionals, which obliges suppliers to submit all promotional material for the approval of the Ministry of Health.