Argentina moves to repeal book price law and loosen drug sales rules

The Argentine government, through the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation headed by Federico Sturzenegger, is advancing a deregulation agenda that includes repealing the 2001 uniform book‑price law (Law 25.542) and allowing certain prescription medicines to be sold over the counter.

Publishers and cultural actors, such as Javier Piccolo, director of the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo’s editorial house, warn that removing the fixed price threatens bibliodiversity, independent bookstores and readers’ access to a wide range of titles. They argue the law protects small retailers from price‑cutting chains and supermarkets.

Pharmacists, represented by Vicente Guzzi of the provincial professional college, caution that expanding free‑sale drug availability could undermine patient safety, reduce the pharmacist’s professional role, and encourage self‑medication without proper medical oversight. They note potential economic harms to patients if drugs become less covered by health plans. Both sectors call for careful regulation despite the government’s claim that competition will lower prices.