Kuwait's Ministry of Health has introduced new regulations for private pharmacies, including a mandatory distance of 1,000 metres between them, effective August 12, 2026.
Kuwait City, Kuwait Aug 13, 2026 ALN: Kuwaitâs Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi has issued Ministerial Resolution No. 235 of 2026 introducing comprehensive regulations governing the licensing and operation of private-sector pharmacies, as well as the handling, storage, dispensing, and delivery of medicines and medical products.
The new resolution establishes procedures for licensing pharmacies operated by Kuwaiti pharmacists, cooperative societies, and private hospitals. Pharmacy licenses will be valid for four years, with the decision also setting rules for renewal, relocation, expansion, temporary or permanent closure, reopening, and the addition of storage facilities.
One of the key provisions requires a new pharmacy to be located at least 1,000 metres from the nearest existing pharmacy, measured according to a mechanism specified by the Ministry of Health.
The requirement does not apply to certain pharmacies, including those located in cooperative societies, central markets, shopping malls, airports, universities, and private hospitals. Pharmacies operating in buildings licensed as clinics or medical centres may also be exempt, subject to specific conditions.
The resolution also establishes procedures for existing pharmacies affected by the distance requirement during renewal or relocation. Priority will be determined according to the date of the original operating license at the current location. Pharmacies ordered to relocate will receive a three-month grace period to choose an alternative location and complete the required procedures, with the possibility of extending the period for another three months.
The resolution introduces detailed technical and health requirements for the storage and preservation of medicines and medical products. Pharmacy premises and storage areas must be maintained at a temperature of no more than 25°C, while medicines requiring refrigeration must be stored between 2°C and 8°C.
Expired medicines must be safely isolated and stored in accordance with approved procedures. Narcotics, psychotropic medicines, and other controlled substances must be kept in securely locked cabinets meeting the Ministryâs requirements.
Pharmacy owners must appoint a licensed pharmacy manager, who cannot manage more than one pharmacy. The manager will be responsible for the pharmacyâs operations, medicines, invoices, prescriptions, records, technical procedures, and employees.
Pharmacies owned by companies, individuals, cooperative societies, and private hospitals that are licensed to non-Kuwaiti pharmacists must employ at least one licensed Kuwaiti pharmacist.
The decision also strengthens monitoring of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians by requiring their attendance and departure to be documented through either paper records or an electronic system. Pharmacies must submit monthly reports to the relevant authority detailing employeesâ working days and hours, while procedures for leave, resignation, and replacement staff are also regulated.
Pharmacies wishing to operate night shifts or provide 24-hour service must obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Health and meet specified conditions.
Among the requirements is the presence of at least three pharmacists in addition to the license holder. Approval will be valid for one year and may be renewed if all conditions continue to be met.
The resolution introduces stricter requirements for prescriptions before medicines can be dispensed. Prescriptions must contain essential information about the patient and doctor, the medicine prescribed, dosage, treatment duration, and method of use.
Pharmacists must verify the patient's identity and check prescriptions for contraindications and potential errors. They are also authorized to refuse or withhold prescriptions that do not meet the required conditions or contain the necessary information.
Medicines, health products, dietary supplements, herbal preparations, and special foods cannot be sold or dispensed if their expiry date is less than 30 days away. An exception applies to medicines for chronic diseases and other treatment preparations, which must remain valid for at least 30 days beyond the final prescribed dose.
The resolution prohibits the acceptance or return of medicines, health products, dietary supplements, herbal preparations, and special foods after they have been dispensed or sold to the public through private pharmacies.
All products offered for sale or distribution must remain in their original packaging and must have been approved for distribution by the relevant authority within the Ministry of Health.
To improve medication safety, every dispensed medicine must carry an identification label on its original packaging.
The label must include the patient's information, medicine name, dosage, method of use, quantity dispensed, and storage instructions, along with any necessary warnings. Information must be provided in a language that the patient or caregiver can understand.
The resolution also regulates the delivery of medicines and medical products by private pharmacies. Pharmacies must obtain prior approval and comply with requirements covering transportation, temperature control, invoices, records, customer information, and official pricing.
Delivery of prescription medicines is prohibited in accordance with the relevant ministerial decisions.
Detailed procedures have also been established for dealing with medicine inventories when a pharmacy temporarily or permanently closes.
The inventory must include narcotics, psychotropic substances, medicines covered by ministerial decisions, and other pharmaceutical preparations. Depending on the applicable rules, products may be returned to authorized suppliers, transferred to another licensed pharmacy, or destroyed through approved procedures.
The resolution also specifies requirements for retaining prescriptions and related records, strengthening oversight of pharmaceutical products throughout their handling and disposal.
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