Vienna  - Austrian pharmacies are starting to offer fish to customers alongside more conventional medicines, as a way to promote the health benefits of the aquatic animals, a group of pharmacists announced Thursday in Vienna.

Valerie Odelga's pharmacy in Judenburg began selling smoked char three weeks ago.

"In the first three days, we sold a whole month's worth of stock," she said.

From Monday, more than a dozen her colleagues will also offer this type of fish, which contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These substances help prevent diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Despite char's health effects, national health insurance does not cover fish, said Nicole Fritzl, a spokeswoman of Austrian fish producer Soravia. "But it requires no prescription," she added.

The company supplies the pharmacies and plans to expand the project to Northern Italy and Slovenia next year.(dpa)