Senior figures in the European Union have told Nicola Sturgeon that minimum pricing for alcohol is in principle "entirely compatible" with EU law, a spokesman for the Health Secretary said.
The Scottish Government plans to bring in a minimum price per unit that people would have to pay for drink. However opponents of the proposal have repeatedly argued that it would be illegal under European law.
Ms Sturgeon met the EU Health Commissioner John Dalli, senior officials and others in Brussels and after the meeting a spokesman for Ms Sturgeon said they had had "very good productive discussions" on the issue of minimum pricing.
He said: "The very clear message coming from the Commission was confirmation that minimum pricing for alcohol is entirely compatible in principle with EU law."
To comply with EU law, legislation on minimum pricing would have to meet certain key tests - such as being shown to provide a clear public health benefit.
Ms Sturgeon's spokesman said: "The discussions were very positive and basically confirmed what we always said always said all the way along. We've always asserted minimum pricing in principle is entirely compatible with EU law, provided that certain key tests are met, which is why we're working very hard to ensure that proposals, when they are brought forward are absolutely robust and entirely compatible with EU law."
The Health Secretary has not said yet what level she wants the minimum price to be set at, but 45p has been used to illustrate the proposal.
Revised research into minimum alcohol pricing has found that charging that amount per unit would save 63 lives in the first year.
The University of Sheffield looked again at the SNP policy, assessing the likely impact of legislation, which is aimed at tackling unhealthy drinking habits. The report, published at the end of January, estimated hospital admissions would reduce by about 6,600 a year, while the NHS would save £22 million annually.
The research also suggested a cut in crime by 3,600 offences, including a drop of 540 violent offences.
