Kuwait Pharmacy Association President to Al-Jarida: Commercial Concealment Law is an Opportunity for Kuwaitis

First, how do you describe the developments witnessed by pharmaceutical services in Kuwait in recent years, and what are the most prominent efforts made to elevate the profession?

Pharmaceutical services in Kuwait have witnessed significant progress in recent years, both in terms of the quality and diversity of services provided and the use of modern technologies in pharmaceutical practice. The pharmacist’s role has expanded beyond dispensing medication to more specialized professional roles related to medication safety, patient follow-up, and improving healthcare quality. Undoubtedly, the Ministry of Health is making clear efforts to develop this sector by updating the systems and regulations governing pharmaceutical work, enhancing medication safety and quality, and keeping pace with global developments in pharmaceutical practices. We, at the Pharmaceutical Association, appreciate these efforts and believe that continued cooperation between the Ministry, the Association, and relevant stakeholders is a fundamental factor in developing the profession and opening new opportunities for Kuwaiti pharmacists.

With the issuance of the Commercial Concealment Law, how do you view its impact on the private pharmaceutical sector in the coming phase?

In fact, the private sector is facing a pivotal stage following the issuance of the Commercial Concealment Law, as it is one of the laws that can have a direct impact on the pharmaceutical sector. The law stipulates that a private pharmacy license must be held by a single Kuwaiti pharmacist only, and he is not permitted to open any other branches. The legislator imposed this condition because he views the pharmacist as a safety valve between the patient and the medication, aiming to protect patients and ensure that private pharmacies operate according to professional standards, preserving professionalism so that it is not overshadowed by commercial interests.

What are the most prominent changes expected in the sector after the law’s implementation?

When some individuals engage in commercial concealment, it leads to unfair competition, as a pharmacist who wishes to comply with the law may find himself facing commercial groups with better financial capacity and privileges obtained in ways that do not align with the law. Therefore, we hope that the implementation of the law marks a new beginning for the Kuwaiti pharmacist in the private sector, opening the door for the large number of pharmacists to enter this sector and work independently.

In light of the development of the pharmacy profession, the issuance of the Commercial Concealment Law, and alongside global pharmaceutical challenges, it has become necessary to issue the new law governing the practice of pharmacy as soon as possible, to keep pace with these developments and provide a suitable foundation for the continued evolution of the profession, ensuring the rights of Kuwaiti pharmacists, delivering professional pharmaceutical services with high efficiency and quality, and maintaining legal and medical responsibility on practitioners of the pharmacy profession.

The problem of drug availability and supply is a global issue, not limited to Kuwait alone. It may increase in some geographical regions and decrease in others, and is always affected by environmental disasters and crises. “Corona,” for example, was one of those “disasters” that significantly impacted it. Today, we are facing a situation that constitutes a crisis in the region, which unfortunately is spreading and having a major impact, especially since we do not know how long this crisis will last. Consequently, this places a heavy burden on everyone working in supply chains, whether in the pharmaceutical sector or other sectors.

To be fair, colleagues in the Medical Warehouses Department are working overtime without negligence and are doing their utmost to resolve the issue, alongside pharmaceutical companies and suppliers. There are also efforts to find alternatives, whether through land or air freight, and to establish alternative delivery routes despite the significant rise in shipping costs. We observe coordination between the two parties, and most essential medicines are available, which has contributed to stabilizing patients’ health conditions. The Ministry established an emergency plan at the start of the war last February to address this matter.

Given the challenges facing pharmaceutical supply chains, do you believe local manufacturing could represent one of the solutions?

Absolutely. Pharmaceutical manufacturing is a necessity for the sector, not only to ensure drug availability and enhance part of the country’s pharmaceutical security, but also to create job opportunities for pharmacists, especially given the large number of graduates entering the job market. We currently have only one factory in Kuwait, which is working to expand its range of available medicines, but this is insufficient. Kuwait Vision 2035 includes encouraging pharmaceutical manufacturing, and some projects have been presented to the state; however, there is still no clear timeline for when this manufacturing will become available.

The new draft law proposal includes a dedicated chapter on pharmaceutical manufacturing and the regulations governing it. The Association maintains strong relationships with many factories in the region, so we are ready to support any state initiatives in this direction, leveraging our connections, expertise, and network to help develop a local pharmaceutical industry as soon as possible.

Taqi stated that the number of Kuwaiti pharmacist members in the Association is approximately 2,500, with 80% working in the public sector and 20% in the private sector. He estimated that the number of pharmacy students across various stages of study ranges between 3,000 and 5,000, with programs lasting up to six years, and expects a significant portion of them to enter the job market in the near future.

Taqi emphasized that pharmacy is not a profession at risk from artificial intelligence, stating, “AI cannot replace pharmacists.” On the contrary, AI has opened up new specializations within pharmacy. Pharmacists are currently adapting to and benefiting from these modern technologies to enable faster and higher-quality work, allowing them to dedicate more time to more difficult and complex tasks.

Taqi stressed the importance of establishing a comprehensive national plan to financially and economically support Kuwaiti pharmacists, particularly in light of anticipated changes in the private sector. He called for necessary banking facilities, reduced rents, and other privileges that would help Kuwaiti pharmacists enter and positively lead the sector. He noted that job opportunities for Kuwaiti pharmacists in the private sector remain limited. “The Association is working on a collaboration project with several global companies to provide job opportunities for recent pharmacy graduates,” he added, with the initiative set to launch next summer, enabling them to gain experience and begin their careers in the private sector.