In the article, the author discusses the market for OTC medicines that has been developing in Poland, inter alia, owing to use of new distribution channels comprising the non-pharmacy sales. Though the pace of non-pharmacy sales growth is very slow, nevertheless, this channel used in other European countries constitutes one of the opportunities to reach the patient with the medicines, in respect of which he is guided by other criteria for selection than the physician's consultation. The most often indicated are: the patient's own experience with the medicine, recommendation of acquaintances or common availability of the medicine on the shelf. The non- pharmacy sale outlets include hyper- and supermarkets, small groceries, herbal shops and drugstores, petrol stations, kiosks and other outlets offering the press.