# Argentina deregulation push and book law debate > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-deregulation-push-under-sturzenegger > Updated: 2026-08-12T03:42:53.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 7. In late July 2026, Economy Minister Federico Sturzenegger expanded the Milei administration’s deregulation agenda. A draft amendment to Law 17.565 was introduced to permit over-the-counter medicines to be sold in kiosks, supermarkets, and service stations, reviving a 1990s effort. Pharmacy unions warned that removing pharmacists from the dispensing process could endanger public health and facilitate counterfeit drugs. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Deregulation prepared a sweeping 349-article bill to repeal Law 25.542, the 2001 uniform book-price regime. The proposal sought to modify approximately 37 statutes, including regulations in viticulture, rural leases, and financial instruments. The Cámara Argentina del Libro and other cultural groups argued that the current law prevents large retailers from engaging in ‘dumping’—subsidizing popular titles to undercut small businesses—thereby protecting bibliodiversity. Debate intensified as officials compared Argentina to international models, noting that fixed-price regimes in France and Germany help preserve small booksellers, whereas free-price markets like the US and UK often see higher concentration among large retailers. Data from the Argentine Chamber of Books highlighted that while self-publishing has driven a 33% growth in output over the last decade, the conventional sector has faced contraction. On 12 August, President Javier Milei announced that the government would not bring the ‘Ley del Libro’ reform before Congress, stating that the legislative agenda is determined by the ‘political table’ to ensure an optimal implementation strategy. Despite this pause, the administration previously maintained that deregulation would increase competition and lower prices for consumers. ## Claims - The bill targets the repeal or modification of about 37 existing laws across multiple sectors. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Law 25.542, which establishes a uniform price for books, is among the statutes slated for repeal. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Federico Sturzenegger is the minister leading the deregulation project. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The publishing sector and booksellers strongly reject the government's attempt to repeal the uniform book price law. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Argentine government will submit a deregulation bill of 349 articles to Congress. (single source) - Critics argue that removing the uniform book price law could favor large market players and harm independent bookstores and editorial diversity. (single source) - The uniform book price law allows discounts of up to 10% at book fairs and up to 50% for purchases by public institutions. (single source) - The government claims the uniform book price law hinders competition and discounts. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: Argentina government cancels plans to debate Book Law in Congress President Javier Milei confirmed the Argentine government will not pursue the 'Ley del Libro' in Congress, abandoning plans to deregulate book pricing despite aims to increase market competition. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-government-cancels-plans-to-debate-book-law-in-congress ### 2026-08-05: Argentina moves to repeal book price law and loosen drug sales rules Argentina’s deregulation push seeks to scrap the uniform book‑price law and permit over‑the‑counter sales of some prescription drugs, sparking opposition from publishers and pharmacists over cultural diversity, 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-moves-to-repeal-book-price-law-and-loosen-drug-sales-rules ### 2026-07-31: Argentina's government debates repeal of fixed book price law Argentina's government is weighing repeal of the law fixing book prices, igniting a debate over market competition versus cultural protection amid rising self‑publishing. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-government-debates-repeal-of-fixed-book-price-law ### 2026-07-28: Argentina's Deregulation Bill to Repeal Uniform Book Price Law Argentina plans a 349‑article deregulation bill, led by Federico Sturzenegger, to repeal the uniform book‑price law (Law 25.542) amid industry opposition and government claims it hinders competition. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentine-government-faces-publishing-sector-opposition-over-proposed-repeal-of-book-price-law ### 2026-07-25: Argentina debates repeal of book price uniform law, industry protests Argentina's government proposes repealing the uniform book price law, prompting publishers, booksellers and journalist Luis Novaresio to warn it could harm independent stores and bibliodiversity. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-moves-to-repeal-fixed-bookprice-law-prompting-industry-backlash ### 2026-07-23: Argentina's Fixed Book‑Price Law Faces Broad Industry Opposition Argentina's government plans to repeal the fixed‑price book law, sparking nationwide protests from booksellers, editors and cultural groups who warn it would end price uniformity, threaten independent stores, ‑ 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-moves-to-deregulate-book-pricing-sparking-industry-alarm ### 2026-07-23: Argentina moves to sell over‑the‑counter drugs outside pharmacies, prompting pharmacist backlash Argentina's Milei government seeks to amend law to let OTC drugs be sold in kiosks and supermarkets, sparking protests from pharmacy unions in Córdoba and Mendoza over health risks. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-draft-law-to-deregulate-medicine-sales-faces-pharmacy-backlash --- Cite as: Argentina deregulation push and book law debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-deregulation-push-under-sturzenegger