20 Pharmacies Closed in Joint Ministry Crackdown for Violating Pharmacy Laws

A coordinated inspection campaign led by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Ministry of Health resulted in the closure of 20 pharmacies found in violation of regulations governing pharmaceutical practices.

In a joint statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), both ministries confirmed that the campaign, conducted on Thursday across various governorates, revealed serious legal breaches, prompting immediate closures. The campaign is part of a broader ongoing initiative that began in 2023, which has so far seen the closure of 60 pharmacies for similar violations.

Authorities said the violations primarily involve pharmacies being managed or operated by unlicensed individuals or third parties, in clear contravention of the law. The Court of Cassation had earlier affirmed the legitimacy of the Ministry of Health’s actions to revoke licenses and shut down such establishments.

The latest campaign was closely supervised by Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel and Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, under directives emphasizing enhanced oversight and strict enforcement within the pharmaceutical sector.

The statement underlined that the joint team took decisive legal measures against the offenders, including revoking licenses, referring certain cases to the Public Prosecution for further judicial action, and executing immediate closures for serious criminal and commercial violations.

“The campaign comes as part of an integrated policy to enforce the rule of law, elevate oversight in health and commercial establishments, and ensure that all pharmacies comply with legal and professional standards,” the ministries noted.

Officials reaffirmed that joint inspections will continue nationwide, with zero tolerance for non-compliance. They also urged pharmacy owners and stakeholders to fully adhere to existing regulations to avoid legal repercussions and to safeguard public health and the integrity of the health investment environment.

- Source from IndiansInKuwait.Com