Senate legalizes non-prescription drug sales on internet

After coalition MPs last month backed restrictive amendments to pharmaceutical law banning both internet sales of OTC drugs and pharmacy advertising, the Senate vote was thought to be a foregone conclusion with coalition parties holding a majority and many senators expressing even stricter views than MPs. Yet senators actually voted to back a more liberal wording that bans the advertising of prescription drugs and authorises the sales of OTC drugs over the internet. But while the vote is good news for internet pharmacies, the bill now returns to the Sejm health committee, where opponents of liberalization, hold sway. (Puls Biznesu S. 8)