Selling, stocking or distributing medicines in Pakistan requires a drug sale licence (DSL) under the Drugs Act, 1976 and the drug rules of the province or territory where the premises is located. Enforcement has tightened noticeably in 2026, particularly in Islamabad, where health authorities have targeted unlicensed outlets, clinics selling medicines and pharmacists lending their registration to more than one shop. This guide explains the types of drug sale licence, who can be the qualified person, what inspectors check and how the process works.
Quick answer: Every pharmacy, medical store and drug distributor in Pakistan needs a drug sale licence from the provincial health department, or the ICT Health Department in Islamabad, under the Drugs Act, 1976. You apply on the prescribed form with proprietor documents, premises proof and the particulars of a qualified person registered with the Pharmacy Council, who must supervise sales during opening hours. An inspector visits the premises before the licence is issued. Each premises needs its own licence, and in Islamabad a pharmacist’s registration can now be linked to only one licence. Doctors who sell medicines commercially also need a DSL.
Types of drug sale licence
| Licence | What it allows | Qualified person |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | Retail sale of drugs, including those a medical store may not keep, and dispensing of prescriptions | A pharmacist registered in Category A |
| Medical store | Retail sale of drugs other than those reserved for pharmacies | A registered pharmacist or pharmacy technician, as the rules allow |
| Distribution or wholesale | Sale to licensed retailers, hospitals and institutions | A qualified person as specified in the rules |
In Punjab, for example, the Punjab Drugs Rules, 2007 provide separate application forms for a pharmacy and a medical store, list drugs that a medical store may not store or sell, and set minimum requirements for pharmacies. Other provinces have their own rules, so the exact forms, fees and categories depend on where the premises is.
Who needs a drug sale licence?
- Retail pharmacies and medical stores, including those inside hospitals and clinics.
- Distributors and wholesalers who supply other licensees.
- Online sellers who store or dispatch medicines.
- Clinics and doctors who sell medicines commercially. In September 2026 the Federal Constitutional Court held that a doctor’s registration does not exempt them from the Drugs Act if they run a medical store or stock medicines for sale. Supplying medicines to one’s own patients is treated differently from running a drug-selling business.
Manufacturers and importers also sell only to valid DSL holders, so distributors and retailers without a licence will find suppliers increasingly unwilling to deal with them.
The qualified person requirement
The licence is issued on the basis that sales will happen under the personal supervision of a qualified person registered under the Pharmacy Act, 1967. That person must be present while the outlet is open. In practice this is where most problems arise:
- A pharmacist’s name used on a licence while they work elsewhere.
- One qualified person shown on several licences.
- Qualified persons leaving without the licence being updated.
Islamabad’s Pharmacy Services and Drug Control wing introduced stricter disclosure rules in October 2026. Applicants must declare their current and past associations with pharmacies and medical stores, in Islamabad and elsewhere, and a November 2026 advisory confirmed that a pharmacist’s registration may be linked to only one DSL. False declarations can lead to rejection, cancellation and referral to the Pharmacy Council.
Documents usually required
- Application on the prescribed form for the licence category.
- CNIC and photographs of the proprietor, partners or directors.
- Partnership deed or SECP incorporation documents for firms and companies.
- Proof of the premises: ownership documents or a rent agreement, and a site plan.
- The qualified person’s degree or diploma, Pharmacy Council registration, CNIC and photographs.
- Affidavits of the proprietor and the qualified person.
- Fee challan or pay order in the prescribed amount.
Premises requirements inspectors check
Before granting the licence, a drug inspector visits the premises. Typical checks include:
- Adequate covered area, clean and hygienic condition, and proper shelving.
- Temperature control and a refrigerator for drugs that need cold storage.
- Protection from sunlight, dust and moisture.
- Separate, secure storage for controlled drugs and records of their sale.
- Prescribed signboard and display of the licence and qualified person’s details.
- For pharmacies that compound medicines, the additional facilities listed in the rules.
The licensing process step by step
- Confirm the category (pharmacy, medical store or distribution) and the location’s rules.
- Arrange the premises and the qualified person before applying; inspectors will check both.
- Submit the application to the licensing authority with documents and fee.
- Inspection by the drug inspector, with any deficiencies to be corrected.
- Grant of licence, after which you can purchase stock from licensed distributors.
After you are licensed
- Records. Keep purchase invoices and warranties, and maintain the prescribed sale records for scheduled drugs.
- Prices and products. Sell only registered products at no more than the permitted price. Inspections in 2026 have targeted unregistered products and overpricing.
- Changes. Apply to the licensing authority when the qualified person, ownership or premises changes.
- Renewal. Renew before expiry. Under some provincial rules a licence that is not renewed within the allowed period stands cancelled, and you must apply afresh.
If you also run a clinic, remember that the clinic itself needs registration with the provincial healthcare commission or, in Islamabad, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority. Our healthcare licensing service covers both. Businesses that manufacture or import medicines need DRAP licensing instead; see our DRAP classification guide.
Penalties for selling without a licence
Selling drugs without a valid licence is an offence under the Drugs Act, 1976. Authorities can seal premises, seize stock, prosecute before the Drug Court and cancel licences. Distributors are also instructed not to supply unlicensed outlets. If your outlet has already been sealed or served a notice, act quickly; our regulatory action triage guide explains the first steps.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues a drug sale licence in Pakistan?
The provincial health department’s licensing authority issues it under the Drugs Act, 1976. In Islamabad it is handled by the ICT Health Department’s Pharmacy Services and Drug Control wing.
Can a doctor sell medicines without a drug sale licence?
A doctor may supply medicines to their own patients where the law allows, but in 2026 the Federal Constitutional Court held that running a medical store or selling medicines commercially requires a DSL.
Can one pharmacist be the qualified person for two medical stores?
In Islamabad, a November 2026 advisory confirmed that a pharmacist’s registration may be linked to only one drug sale licence. The qualified person must be present during opening hours.
What is the difference between a pharmacy and a medical store licence?
A pharmacy licence requires a Category A pharmacist and allows sale of all drugs, while a medical store licence cannot cover drugs reserved for pharmacies under the rules.
Do I need a separate licence for each branch?
Yes. Each premises where drugs are sold, stored or distributed needs its own drug sale licence.
How CEC can help
Connect Engineers & Consultants prepares drug sale licence applications, checks premises against inspection requirements before the visit and handles changes of qualified person and renewals. See our healthcare licensing services.
Opening a pharmacy or regularising a clinic dispensary? Contact us and we will tell you exactly what your location requires.
Drug licensing rules, fees and forms differ by province and are revised regularly. Always confirm with the licensing authority for your area. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
