Russian government approves sale of 128 over-the-counter medications at post offices

Russia’s government has approved 128 over-the-counter medicines for sale through post offices, aiming to improve access in places without a pharmacy or medical facility. The move could make commonly used medicines easier to obtain in rural and remote communities.

The medicines are among those most often used in outpatient care and span nine categories. Post office staff must complete a special training course before selling them. Russian Post has just under 40,000 branches, including about 27,000 in rural and remote areas.