- The sale of medicines through self-service machines is illegal and illegal in Slovakia.
- Any medicine purchased outside of an approved pharmacy poses a health risk.
- Slovak patients can only buy medicines in a brick-and-mortar or approved online pharmacy.
The State Institute for Drug Control (ŠÚKL) warns against illegal drug vending machines. He reminds that the sale of medicines outside the pharmacy is against the law and poses a risk to the health of patients. The institute stated this in response to suggestions regarding the self-service machine for over-the-counter medicines in Nové Mesto nad Váhom. In this context, he announces the submission of an initiative to the Ministry of Health (MOH) of the Slovak Republic.
“Slovak legislation does not allow the dispensing of medicines through vending machines,” pointed out the director of the state institute, Roman Dorčík, adding that the dispensing of medicines to patients must follow strict rules. He pointed out that medicines are subject to much stricter rules than food, which is commonly found in self-service machines. “Every drug that a patient buys outside of an approved pharmacy poses a risk to his health” explained the expert.
ŠÚKL emphasized that Slovak patients can only buy medicines in a brick-and-mortar pharmacy or in an internet pharmacy that has been approved by ŠÚKL. Only over-the-counter medications can be dispensed within the Internet dispensing system, never prescription medications. Medicines can only be dispensed to patients by a qualified specialist with relevant education.
The institute warns of several risks in connection with the medicine vending machine. He warns that the premises in which medicines are stored and transported are strictly controlled, the correct temperature and humidity must be ensured in them during the entire period of storage and transport.
“The machine cannot maintain the set conditions, therefore the medicines are at risk of deterioration,” the experts explained. They also point out that unavailable professional advice can lead to incorrect use of medicines or dangerous interactions. The problem is also the impossibility of control. “While ŠÚKL carries out regular and strict inspections in pharmacies, the state has no supervision over the contents and condition of the machines.added ŠÚKL.
