Take the examination for the sale of over-the-counter medicines

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 store, an employee with proven expertise must always be on site. You can prove this expertise by taking the test.

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

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

If you have a university degree or vocational training in the field of pharmacy, you may already have the expertise and do not need to prove this by taking a separate exam. You can find out more about this in the further information.