Doctors cannot run drug stores without licence: FCC
• Observes Pharmacy Act and Drugs Act perform different legal functions • Sets aside 2023 PHC order restraining regulatory action ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Friday ruled that a registered medical practitioner (doctor) may prescribe and dispense medicine to his own patient within the scope of Section 31(4)(a) of the Pharmacy Act 1967, but cannot maintain a medical store…
The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has ruled that doctors are not exempt from licensing requirements under the Drugs Act 1976 for maintaining a medical store or retail drug outlet. While a doctor can prescribe and dispense medicine to their patients, they cannot operate a pharmacy without proper licensing. This decision overturns a June 5, 2023 order by the Peshawar High Court, which had restrained regulatory action against doctors running medical stores.
The FCC emphasized that the Pharmacy Act and Drugs Act serve different legal functions, with the latter requiring a licence for drug sales.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
