Ministry debunks claim, says private pharmacies total 600

• No medicine is allowed to circulate in Kuwait unless it is registered and tested in the Ministry of Health’s drug control laboratories, where it is subjected to examinations and tests to confirm its continued quality, safety, and stability.

• The Ministry of Health confirmed its adherence to the country’s laws and regulations, and its ongoing efforts in monitoring and inspecting private pharmacies and all health institutions.

The Ministry of Health has refuted claims made in a circulated video clip about private sector pharmacies, stating that the clip contains false information that could jeopardize the country’s drug security, according to Al Rai newspaper.

The ministry confirmed the quality and safety of all medicines circulating in the State of Kuwait, stating that they adhere to drug safety standards approved by global health systems through the pharmacovigilance system.

It was also explained that the total number of private pharmacies, including their various branches, does not exceed 600, which is significantly fewer than the 2,000 pharmacies mentioned in the report.

The ministry pointed out that, according to the laws regulating the pharmacy profession in the State of Kuwait, a private pharmacy license is issued with the approval of the Ministry of Health to a Kuwaiti pharmacist who holds a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and has at least five years of experience in pharmaceutical services. The license is issued to individuals, not companies.

The ministry confirmed its adherence to the country’s laws and regulations, and its ongoing efforts in monitoring and inspecting private pharmacies and all health institutions. It is also vigilant about preventing the misuse of licenses by individuals and companies, referring violators to the relevant regulatory and legal authorities. Recently, this included the closure of six private health facilities and the referral of seven doctors for investigation.

The ministry pointed out that all medicines in the State of Kuwait undergo a rigorous evaluation system to ensure their effectiveness and quality before being registered and circulated. This process involves the unified technical file (CTD) to ensure compliance with international standards.

No medicine is allowed to circulate in Kuwait unless it is registered and tested in the Ministry of Health’s drug control laboratories, where it is subjected to examinations and tests to confirm its continued quality, safety, and stability.

The ministry also noted that most of the medicines in the country come from international manufacturers. The percentage of medicines registered from the mentioned Arab countries does not exceed three percent of the total medicines registered in the country. These medicines are permitted for trade only after undergoing a stringent control system to ensure their quality and safety.

The ministry affirmed the integrity of the administrative and technical procedures in drug control and other health fields, emphasizing that the health and safety of the nation and its citizens are paramount. It noted that all legal measures are being taken concerning the published and circulated truncated video clip, including addressing the false information it contains, which could undermine confidence in the health system and drug security in the country.