Objectives: The aim of this research was to make a regulatory review of the dispensing of over-the-counter medicines outside pharmacies in the countries of the European Union and the United Kingdom. Material and Methods: An overview of over-the-counter regulatory systems in European countries has been compiled, with an emphasis on the availability of over-the-counter medicines outside pharmacies. The regulatory requirements of 24 EU countries and UK were reviewed and a comparison of the regulatory systems of the countries covered by the review was made. Results: Analyzing 24 EU countries and the United Kingdom, we see three ways to regulate and organize the dispensing of over-the-counter medicines. In 10 countries analyzed, including Austria, France and Spain, over-the-counter medicines are only allowed in pharmacies. In 5 countries analyzed, including Germany and Croatia, the dispensing of over-the-counter medicines outside pharmacies takes place under the obligatory supervision of a professional. The United Kingdom and the Scandinavian countries fall into the last category, which consists of 9 countries with developed trade in over-the-counter medicines outside pharmacies. Over-the-counter medicines in these countries are available in supermarkets, kiosks and petrol stations, and there is a so-called "general sales list", list of finished medicinal products with conditions under which they may be dispensed outside pharmacies. Conclusions: There are differences in the way of regulating the distribution of over-the-counter medicines among European countries. There is a trend of liberalization and deregulation of pharmacy sector. Although in some of the countries analyzed pharmacies still have a monopoly on dispensing over-the-counter medicines, in most of the countries analyzed certain over-the-counter medicines are available outside pharmacies.