International News - Slovak minister mulls chemist law reform

Slovak health minister Rudolf Zajac will consider letting supermarkets sell pharmaceuticals over the counter, despite opposition from chemists.

Under Slovak law, pharmaceuticals of any kind, including headache tablets, can only be bought at pharmacies. But many close at the weekend and by 5pm during the week.

'We have to take into account that illnesses don't just come along only on working days,' Zajac said.

However, Slovak Pharmacists' Chamber head Stefan Krchnak said: 'The experience from other European countries that have done this shows it's risky. Sales people get one or two days on a course and that's it. They can't know everything about the medicines they are selling.'