Is a pharmacy at the supermarket a possibility in Spain?

SPAIN It may not be unusual to the inhabitants of other countries such as the UK, but have you noticed that there are no farmacias (pharmacies, chemists') or even medicines in Spanish supermarkets, even the big chains? Or that they are not at all close together, in competition with each other? The only people who can open a farmacia (sometimes known as boticas) in Spain, are properly licensed pharmacists - and they can't have one wherever they like. Pharmacies - the only establishments that can sell medication of any kind - are located according to planning criteria that include geography and demographics. The idea is that everyone has a pharmacy close to hand. But the Ministry of Economy is planning to open up the market, and there are arguments for both sides of the debate. (A more detailed article will soon be available at SpainInformer.com)