Table 1 Categories and regulatory items

Price

Pricing of OTC medicines is free or subject to a pricing system

Ownership (Pharmacy retail)

Public or private ownership

Private ownership limited to only pharmacists or open to third parties

Pharmacy chains allowed or not

Distribution

Online distribution allowed or not

OTC medicines are available only at pharmacy retail or if non-pharmacy retail is also allowed to sell OTC medicines

Pharmacy retail has establishment restrictions (Distance, inhabitants) or freedom of establishment

Dispensing restrictions (Non-pharmacy retail)

Supervision of the pharmacists is required

Accessibility and/or location are regulated

Minimum legal age

Only drugstores or specialised stores

Dosage restrictions (e.g., size of the pack, strength, or pharmaceutical form)