The Belgian Competition Authority assesses the validity of opening days/hours and advertising provisions for pharmacy outlets as set by the pharmacists’ professional associations (Belgian Pharmacists Associations)

1. Parties The present case arose from three complaints lodged in 1998 by several retail pharmacy outlets before the Belgian Competition Council (“the Council”). The complaints were directed against the Belgian Pharmacists Association as well as various local pharmacists association (Braine-l'Alleud, Etterbeek, Molenbeek Saint Jean), The Belgian Pharmacists Association's primary tasks are to establish a code of deontology and regulate various aspects of the pharmacist profession in Belgium. It also holds disciplinary jurisdiction. 2. Facts The procedure concerned two separate sets of rules, adopted under the impetus of the pharmacists' associations (national and local). First, in the three municipalities of Braine-l'Alleud, Etterbeek and Molenbeek Saint Jean, the members of the