The supermarkets are diametrically opposed to pharmacies and drugstores about an amendment to the Medicines Act. This change would allow heavier over-the-counter medicines to be sold without physical supervision from a drug store or assistant drug store. Customers can then request advice via a tablet. The supermarkets want that, the drugstores are completely against it.
The supermarkets also argue that customers want that. “That is utter nonsense,” says director Jos Jongstra of trade association CBD, on behalf of drugstores and pharmacies. According to him, supermarkets simply find it too expensive to hire an expert to sell that category of pills.
“They want to replace the expert with a screen.” The supermarkets argue that consumers want easier and more responsible access to drugs such as ibuprofen and antidiarrhoeal drugs. And that they can offer this by placing a screen next to the pill shelf, on which consumers can obtain advice.
“There is an expert on the other side of that tablet,” said a spokesperson for the supermarkets. At the moment it is still the case that in order to be allowed to sell these over-the-counter products, supermarkets must have a qualified (assistant) druggist in the store during the entire opening time of the store.
“You need five to six people a week for that, while there may be a question once a week.” The argument brought in by the supermarkets, that access to these resources is becoming more accessible, sweeps the CBD off the table. “There are 5,000 drugstores and pharmacies, that’s enough and they also have extended opening hours.”
‘It’s better to ask for advice via a screen’
On the other hand, the CBL states that it is more accessible to talk about your complaints via a tablet with someone you do not know. “Then with that supermarket service desk employee you see every week.” The umbrella organization of drugstores and pharmacies fears health risks.
“The average Dutch person underestimates those risks. Physical supervision is simply necessary.” Even though you can pick up your pills at the drugstore and pay for them at the scan checkout, without human intervention. “The supervision is there.”
According to the CBD, 10 percent of the over-the-counter medicines, a lighter category and lower doses, do not require the presence of an expert. This is the case for 80 percent of the pills. The remaining 10 percent may only be sold at the pharmacy.