FCC Mandates Drug Sale Licences for Doctors, Overturns Peshawar Court Ruling

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has ruled that medical practitioners must obtain a licence to sell drugs, a decision that overturns a previous ruling by the Peshawar High Court. This landmark judgment clarifies that registration as a doctor does not exempt practitioners from regulatory requirements concerning drug sales.

The ruling was delivered by a bench comprising Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Ali Baqar, who emphasized the necessity of adhering to drug sale regulations to ensure public safety and uphold medical standards. The Peshawar High Court had previously halted regulatory actions against doctors accused of operating dispensaries within their clinics, a decision now deemed invalid by the FCC.

This ruling has significant implications for healthcare practices in Pakistan, as it reinforces the legal framework governing the sale of medicines. It aims to enhance accountability among medical professionals and protect patients from unregulated drug sales, which can lead to health risks and malpractice.

In light of this ruling, healthcare authorities are expected to ramp up enforcement of drug sale regulations. Doctors operating without the necessary licences may face penalties, and further discussions on regulatory compliance are anticipated in upcoming health sector meetings.