License to sell medicines at gas stations

Fuel stations have long ceased to be just places for refueling. The modern format of a gas station is a full-service center for drivers: coffee, groceries, related products, and quick services.

In 2026, the Ukrainian market gained a new opportunity to develop this format — the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines at gas stations.

For owners of large gas station networks and local stations, this means:

• expanding the range of services
• increasing the average check
• boosting customer loyalty
• a new stable source of income.

This service is especially relevant for gas stations located in remote settlements and frontline areas, where pharmacy chains are often absent, and people cannot quickly purchase even the most basic medicines — for headaches, fever, or colds.

Under such conditions, a gas station can become not only a place to refuel a car but also an important service point for local residents and drivers who need basic medical assistance.

It is obvious that customers will prefer the gas station where they can both refuel and quickly purchase the necessary medicines, without spending time searching for a pharmacy tens of kilometers away.

However, launching this direction is not just about adding a new product category to the cash register system. The sale of medicines is a licensed activity, subject to state control.

Thus, the key question for business is: how to legally organize the sale of medicines at gas stations and obtain a license without risk of refusal?

Is it possible to sell medicines at gas stations in Ukraine?

Yes, the legislation allows the sale of over-the-counter medicines at gas stations. However, it is important to understand one principle: this is not a simplified sale of medications, but a fully licensed activity.

To launch this format, it is necessary to obtain a license for the sale of OTC medicines. To obtain such a license, a package of documents is submitted to the State Service for Medicines (DerzhLiks) in accordance with the approved Licensing Requirements.

This license allows:

• selling only over-the-counter medicines
• selling medicines within a designated area of the gas station
• controlling the conditions in which the medicines are stored.

At the same time, the gas station does not become a pharmacy but must comply with some requirements of pharmaceutical legislation.

What license does a gas station need to sell medicines without a prescription?

To legally sell medicines, a gas station must obtain a retail license for medicinal products (a pharmacy license).

This license is issued by the State Service of Ukraine for Medicines and Drug Control (DerzhLiks).

This authority:

• reviews the documents
• checks the premises for compliance
• conducts a pre-license inspection
• issues an order for the license.

Without this permission, selling medicines at a gas station is prohibited.

Who can obtain a license to sell medicines at a gas station?

The right to obtain a license is granted to:

• legal entities — operators of gas stations
• individual entrepreneurs (FOPs) operating a gas station
• legal or physical persons who rent or own premises at a gas station.

In addition, the law does not limit this right only to large networks. Accordingly, a license can be obtained by national fuel operators, regional gas stations, individual stations, or any person who has registered a business entity (FOP or LLC), has premises at a gas station, and has obtained a pharmacy license through a simplified procedure for gas stations.

Main condition — compliance with licensing legislation requirements.

Key requirements for selling medicines at a gas station

To obtain a license, a gas station must meet several key requirements.

• Designated storage area for medicines

The gas station must have a separate area for storing medicines.

It should be:

2. separated from other goods
3. equipped with shelves or cabinets
4. protected from temperature violations.

• Compliance with medicine storage conditions

Medicines must be stored according to the manufacturer’s requirements.

This requires:

1. temperature and humidity control
2. availability of refrigeration equipment (for certain medicines)
3. keeping control logs

• Authorized person

One of the key requirements is appointing an authorized person responsible for the quality system of medicines.

Requirements for this person:

1. pharmaceutical education
2. appointment by order
3. control over the circulation of medicines

This person is responsible for:

1. incoming control of medicines
2. compliance with storage conditions
3. organization of the quality system

This authorized person can work part-time.

• Premises documentation

The business entity must own or rent the premises. The documents must correspond to the actual gas station address.

• Pre-license inspection by DerzhLiks

Obtaining a license is not limited to submitting documents. Before making a decision, DerzhLiks conducts an inspection of the gas station.

During the inspection, the following is assessed:

1. medicine storage area
2. availability of equipment
3. compliance with temperature conditions
4. authorized person’s documents
5. internal orders

Inspectors verify whether the actual activity matches what is stated in the documents.

Typical mistakes when obtaining a pharmacy license at a gas station

From our legal support practice, most problems arise from a formal approach to document preparation.

Most common mistakes are discrepancies in documents, different addresses, areas, or working hours. This often leads to license refusal.

Other frequent mistakes include incorrectly appointed authorized persons (inadequate education, wrong wording in orders, conflict of duties) and violations of storage requirements (lack of temperature control or proper equipment).

These are the most common reasons for license refusal for trading medicines.

Why launching medicine sales at a gas station requires legal support

At first glance, the procedure seems simple: submit an application and get a license.

In practice, businesses face such problems:

• resubmissions of documents
• procedure delays for months
• comments from inspectors
• license refusal.

Legal support helps avoid these risks.

Legal support for obtaining a license for gas stations

Our company’s lawyers provide full launch of OTC medicine sales at a gas station “turnkey”.

We:

• check the premises for compliance with requirements
• prepare the application and documentation for DerzhLiks
• draft internal orders and document system
• support the inspection process
• ensure license issuance.

Why businesses choose our law firm?

Our lawyers specialize in licensing pharmaceutical activities.

We have:

• many years of experience working with DerzhLiks
• practice in obtaining licenses for pharmacies and medical institutions
• experience in supporting new business models.

For the client, this means:

1. obtaining the license on the first submission
2. minimal timelines
3. no risks during inspections.

Get a consultation on launching medicine sales at a gas station if you plan to start this business.