Kuwait's Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, has issued three new ministerial decisions to modernize the pharmaceutical sector. The regulations introduce significant changes, including a new requirement that private pharmacies must be at least 400 meters apart, doubling the previous 200-meter rule. Furthermore, the decisions now permit the sale of approved medicines through self-service vending machines and via e-commerce platforms, cooperative societies, and supermarkets.
The new framework sets strict licensing and operational criteria. To open a pharmacy, an owner must now be a Kuwaiti pharmacist with a recognized degree and a minimum of ten years of experience. For vending machines, each pharmacy is limited to a maximum of five units, which must be placed at least 100 meters apart and operated under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist or technician.
These sweeping reforms are part of Kuwait's broader effort to build a safer, more regulated pharmaceutical market in line with "Kuwait Vision 2035." The measures aim to enhance governance, keep pace with global developments in pharmaceutical distribution, and ensure that all medicines sold through these new channels are officially registered with the Ministry of Health and come in their original, approved packaging.
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