take the examination of competence to sell medicinal products over the counter

In principle, medicines may only be sold in pharmacies. However, there are exceptions for so-called over-the-counter medicines. These can be, for example, teas, ointments or tablets containing herbal substances such as valerian. If you want to sell these products in your shop, an employee with proven expertise must always be on site. You can demonstrate this expertise by taking the exam.

In the exam, you must be able to answer questions on, for example, the proper storage of over-the-counter medicines, possible hazards of overdosing on the active ingredients, and legal regulations on handling and selling. The questionnaire includes 50 multiple-choice questions and 5 open-ended questions.

You should prepare for the exam in terms of content, for example by attending a preparation course. However, this is not a prerequisite for registering for the exam.

With a university degree or vocational training in the field of pharmacy, you may already have the expertise and do not need to prove this through a separate examination, more on this can be found in the further information.