Dispensation of medicinal products

Medicinal products are dispensed in public pharmacies (dispensaries):

• against a medical prescription;
• on the advice of a pharmacist;
• at a person's request.

Public pharmacies are pharmaceutical establishments that are authorised to:

• dispense medicinal products to the public;
• compound medicinal preparations;
• sell medicinal plants;
• sell medical devices (equipment);
• sell various accessories;
• and sell hygiene products.

Pharmacies are a public service that is managed on a concession basis. The creation and transfer of dispensaries are governed by law.

Pharmacists prepare, check, store and dispense medicinal products.

The pharmacist's role

When you go to the pharmacy with a prescription for a medicinal product, the pharmacist will:

• check your prescription;
• check that there is a genuine need to take the medicinal product;
• prepares the dose to be administered, if necessary;
• tell you how to take the medicinal product (duration of treatment, amount to take, and how to take it);
• tell you about possible interactions with other medicinal products or substances – such as alcohol, for instance – and adverse side effects.

Pharmacists have a special duty to give advice when dispensing non-prescription medicinal products.

Pharmacists may substitute, add or remove items on medical prescriptions. In particular, they can replace a brand of a medicinal product with another brand, or propose a generic medicinal product.