Market stalls and car boot sales

Under the Medicines Act 1968, safety is the criterion for deciding the availability of a medicine. To protect public health, most medicines can only be sold or supplied at pharmacy premises by or under the supervision of a pharmacist. However, general sale list (GSL) medicines are available from other retail premises such as supermarkets provided they are prepacked and the premises concerned can be closed to exclude the public.

In the Medicines Act, the term "premises" is not defined but its ordinary meaning is a building or buildings with adjoining land. Its usage in the Act indicates that it does not include stalls or vehicles. For this reason, we take the view that the sale of medicines from a market stall or vehicle (i.e. a van or car) for example at a car boot sale, would not comply with the law.

The position outlined in the paragraph above also applies to medicines sold from a stall situated in a covered market.

The Agency's view is that the law is based on the assumption that medicines are not like most other commodities. It is designed to ensure minimum standards of safety and quality. The law is also aimed at preventing the sale of medicines from sources which cannot be readily controlled.

Relevant legislation
Section 53 of the Medicines Act 1968

Contact for further information
For further information on this part of our site, please contact our Sale and Supply section, MHRA, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SZ, telephone 020 3080 6392 or email info@mhra.gsi.gov.uk