# Doctors running a pharmacy in Islamabad now need a Drug Sale Licence

Source: https://upmed.net/ict-advisory-drug-sale-licence-rmp-pharmacy/  
Published: 2026-10-08 · Updated: 2026-10-09  
Category: Blog  
Publisher: UPMED (https://upmed.net/)

> A new ICT advisory requires doctors in Islamabad who run a pharmacy or medical store to obtain a Drug Sale Licence.

Many doctors in Islamabad run a small pharmacy or medical store next to their clinic. Until now, a number of these have worked without a Drug Sale Licence (DSL). That is no longer an option.

On 6 October 2026, the Pharmacy Services & Drug Control wing of the ICT Health Department issued an advisory (No. 18(8)-DI/ICT/2012), marked most urgent, addressed to all Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) working in Islamabad Capital Territory.

###### Why now

The advisory follows a judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court in C.P.L.A 538-P/2023, dated 23 September 2026. In light of that judgment, any pharmacy, medical store or other establishment that sells or stores therapeutic goods for sale must hold a licence under the applicable law.

###### What the advisory says

- Any RMP operating a pharmacy or medical store without a valid DSL must apply for and obtain one forthwith.
- Limited quantities of medicines kept at a clinic for dispensing directly to the doctor’s own patients remain under the statutory exemption, where it legally applies, provided all other legal requirements are met.
- This exemption does not permit running an unlicensed pharmacy or medical store.
- Distributors must not supply therapeutic goods to any establishment operating without a DSL.
- Drug inspectors (City, Saddar and Rural Area) have been directed to ensure compliance and take legal action where required, with immediate effect.

###### Clinic dispensing versus a medical store

The key line is between dispensing and selling. A doctor who keeps a small stock to give to patients seen in consultation is dispensing. A counter that sells medicines to anyone who walks in, or to patients on prescriptions from other doctors, is a pharmacy or medical store and now needs a DSL. Once distributors stop supplying unlicensed outlets, an unlicensed store will also lose its supply chain.

###### Practical examples

Allowed under the clinic exemption (no DSL needed, if all other legal requirements are met):

- A GP sees a patient with a chest infection and hands over a full antibiotic course and paracetamol from the clinic’s own stock.
- A clinic keeps an emergency tray (adrenaline, hydrocortisone, oral rehydration salts, nebuliser solutions) for patients being treated on site.
- A doctor gives injections, drips or dressings during the consultation, using clinic stock.
- A paediatrician gives a few days of syrups to a child examined in the clinic, recorded against that visit.

Needs a DSL (counts as a pharmacy or medical store):

- A counter in the clinic sells medicines to walk-in customers who have not been seen by the doctor.
- The clinic fills prescriptions written by other doctors or hospitals.
- Shelves display medicines, supplements or skin products for open sale.
- Medicines are sold in bulk or for months at a time, beyond what the consultation needs.
- A separate store front, run by an assistant, operates under the doctor’s name.

The advisory does not fix a number for “limited quantities”, so keep clinic stock small and in proportion to daily patient load, and keep records that show each item went to a patient you examined.

###### What to do this week

- Decide honestly whether your setup is clinic dispensing or a medical store.
- If it is a store, apply for a DSL with the ICT licensing authority without delay.
- If it is clinic dispensing, keep stock limited, keep purchase invoices from licensed distributors, and keep a dispensing record linked to patient visits.
- Check storage conditions, expiry dates and the record of any controlled medicines.

Copies of the advisory have been sent to the District Health Officer/Licensing Authority, Islamabad; the Registrar, PMDC; and the Islamabad Health Care Regulatory Authority (IHRA), so inspections can be expected. The advisory applies to Islamabad Capital Territory; doctors in the provinces should check the position with their own drug control authority.

[![](https://upmed.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-08-at-6.58.58-PM-187x300.jpeg)](https://upmed.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-08-at-6.58.58-PM.jpeg)

*This post is for information only and is not legal advice. Refer to the original advisory and the licensing authority for the final position.*