Pharmacy Liberalisation on Hold

Yves Bot, Advocate General at the European Court of Justice, has released a non-binding statement supporting German and Italian laws, restricting retailers from owning pharmacies in both countries.

According to Bot, the laws are valid if the objective is to ensure an adequate supply of medicinal products to the public.

While this is not the final say in the matter, the European court usually follows its advisers’ guidance. Another factor in the decision is the fact that the European Union has no overriding power over national health policy.