In March 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 275, which introduced amendments to the Licensing Conditions for the production, wholesale, and retail trade of medicinal products. One of the most notable innovations is the possibility of selling over-the-counter (OTC) medicines within the premises of gas stations.
This decision immediately sparked lively discussion in the professional community: is this a step toward improving access to basic medicines, or the beginning of a regulatory transformation of the pharmacy market?
What exactly is changing?
In essence, the state is expanding the channels through which the population can access OTC medicines, allowing their sale in a format that is not a traditional pharmacy establishment.
The regulation concerns medicines that are dispensed without a prescription and have a relatively high safety profile:
· painkillers and antipyretic drugs (paracetamol, ibuprofen);
· cold and cough remedies;
· nasal sprays;
· vitamin and mineral complexes;
· digestive support medicines;
· external products — ointments, patches, and dressing materials.
The sale of such medicines at gas stations is permitted provided that certain licensing requirements are met and that a quality system operated by the license holder is in place.
It is important to note that during the discussion of the reform, the idea of targeted access to OTC medicines in areas lacking pharmacies was considered. However, in the final version of the resolution, territorial restrictions were not included. This means that the new mechanism could potentially become widespread.
The introduction of this new model for selling medicines immediately raises several important regulatory questions.
Quality control and responsibility
According to explanations from the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control, the sale of OTC medicines at gas stations is possible without establishing a full pharmacy or its structural subdivision.
Dispensing may be carried out by gas station employees who do not have pharmaceutical education, provided that:
· a quality control system is in place;
· an authorized person representing the license holder is appointed;
· proper storage conditions for medicines are ensured.
This is where a key question arises: how effectively can a quality system operate in locations that are not medical institutions by nature?
Remote pharmaceutical consultation
Professional clarifications also state that a buyer may receive remote consultation from a pharmaceutical specialist.
However, the mechanism for implementing this provision has not yet been detailed.
Practical questions arise:
· Will this involve video communication?
· Will the fact of consultation be recorded?
· Who will bear responsibility in case of incorrect use of the medicine?
Without clear procedures, there is a risk that remote consultation will become merely a formal requirement without real substance.
Regulatory inequality
Another important issue is regulatory symmetry.
Pharmacies traditionally operate in a much stricter regulatory environment:
· requirements for qualified personnel;
· specialized premises;
· temperature control requirements;
· traceability systems;
· pharmaceutical supervision of dispensing.
If the same medicines are sold in other locations under simplified rules, there is a risk of different regulatory standards for the same products.
This issue is already being actively discussed in the pharmaceutical sector.
Potential advantages of the new model
Despite the controversy, the new model has several obvious advantages.
1. Increased access to medicines
Gas stations often operate 24/7 and are located along major transport routes.
This means that basic medicines may become available:
· at night;
· during travel;
· in small settlements.
For drivers or people on the road, this may be an important factor.
2. Expansion of access points
In some regions of Ukraine there is indeed a problem with access to pharmacies.
This is particularly relevant for rural areas and regions affected by the war.
In this context, the new model may partially fill gaps in access to basic medicines.
3. Integration with European practice
In a number of European countries, OTC medicines are sold not only in pharmacies but also in supermarkets or specialized retail outlets.
Therefore, the Ukrainian reform partly fits into the broader trend of deregulation in the OTC medicines market.
Risks of the new model
At the same time, the new model also carries significant risks.
1. Self-medication
Even OTC medicines can be dangerous if used incorrectly.
For example:
· paracetamol overdose can lead to liver damage;
· uncontrolled use of ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal complications.
Without proper consultation, the risks of self-medication increase.
2. Storage conditions
Medicines require stable temperature regimes and controlled storage conditions.
In practice, this may be more difficult to ensure in retail outlets that do not specialize in pharmaceutical activity.
3. Pressure on the pharmacy sector
Pharmacy networks operate under a significantly stricter regulatory framework.
If competition arises from sales points operating under simplified requirements, this may create an imbalance in the market.
What will be decisive?
The key question lies not so much in the fact of selling medicines at gas stations, but in the quality of the regulatory implementation of this model.
The decisive factors will be:
· clear quality control rules;
· real, rather than purely formal, pharmaceutical consultation;
· a transparent system of responsibility.
If these mechanisms work effectively, the new model may increase access to basic medicines for the population.
If oversight is weak, however, there is a risk that the pharmaceutical market could turn into an uneven regulatory field with increased risks for patients.
The reform allowing OTC medicines to be sold at gas stations may become either an example of reasonable deregulation or another regulatory experiment.
The answer will depend on how its practical implementation is organized.
