KUWAIT CITY, Oct 12: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi on Sunday issued a ministerial decision to regulate the licensing of private pharmacies and set guidelines for the distribution of medicines and medical products in Kuwait. The decision is part of a comprehensive framework designed to ensure professional discipline and the safe, standardized distribution of medications in a way that serves public health. According to the decision, pharmacy licenses will be granted only to Kuwaiti pharmacists with a minimum of 10 years of experience and an academic qualification accredited by the relevant national authorities. A minimum distance of 400 meters must be maintained between any two pharmacies, ensuring a balanced and equitable distribution of pharmaceutical services in different areas. The decision also regulates the delivery of medications through properly equipped vehicles that

comply with quality standards, guaranteeing that medicines reach patients safely and with official invoices and documentation. It establishes strict guidelines for the storage of medicines and medical products in accordance with approved safety and quality standards, and explicitly prohibits the display or sale of any expired or unlicensed products. The decision mandates that pharmacies obtain approval from the Ministry of Health before installing any outdoor advertisements, to unify the logo and professional identity of private-sector pharmacies. It also requires adherence to the provisions of Law No. 26/1996 and Law No. 70/2020 concerning Professional Accountability and Documentation of Responsible Practices. Moreover, Al-Awadhi issued Ministerial Resolution No. 240/2025 for regulating the display and sale of medicines and medical products through self-service vending machines at non-fixed points of sale. This decision complements the legislative framework governing the circulation of medicines in the private sector and ensures compliance with health and regulatory standards.

According to the resolution, private pharmacies are authorized to display and sell medicines or medical products listed in Ministerial Resolution No. 238/2025 via self-service vending machines, provided they meet all requirements and conditions specified by the Ministry of Health. Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated email of the Drug Inspection Department of the Drug Control Sector. The decision emphasized the necessity of providing a valid pharmacy license and the presence of a licensed pharmacist or pharmacy technician responsible for the machines. It also requires ownership or rental documents for the machines and their location, along with a special permit for drug delivery

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff