Kuwait shuts 20 pharmacies over illegal third-party operations

Dubai: Kuwait has shut down 20 pharmacies across several governorates for serious regulatory violations, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced, in coordination with the Ministry of Health. The closures are part of a sweeping campaign targeting illegal practices in the pharmaceutical sector.

Authorities found that the pharmacies were operated or managed by unauthorized third parties, directly breaching national healthcare regulations that mandate licensed professionals oversee such establishments.

This latest action follows a similar campaign in 2023, which resulted in 60 pharmacy closures for the same violations. That move was later upheld by Kuwait’s Court of Cassation, reinforcing the government’s legal authority to revoke licenses and crack down on breaches.

This week’s inspections were personally supervised by Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa AlAjeel and Minister of Health Dr Ahmed Al-Awadhi.

The closures were triggered by “clear and alarming indicators” discovered during field visits. Legal action has been initiated in several cases, including license revocations and referrals to the Public Prosecution.

“We will continue to intensify field campaigns and apply the law without exception,” a senior government source said.

The crackdown is part of Kuwait’s strategy to strengthen oversight and restore credibility to the healthcare sector. Authorities confirmed that further surprise inspections will take place in the coming weeks, with zero tolerance for non-compliance.

In a statement directed at stakeholders, the Ministry of Commerce urged pharmacy owners and investors to fully comply with licensing regulations. “Ensuring the availability of safe, legal, and trustworthy healthcare services is not just a professional requirement, it’s a national priority,” the ministry said.