20/11/2025
PUBLIC STATEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
United Pharmacists Association (UPA)
For Immediate Release
Subject: Call for National Action on Targeted Amendments to the Pharmacy Act, 1967 and Transitional Reforms for Parliament
The United Pharmacists Association (UPA) announces its formal stance urging the Government of Pakistan, Parliament, regulatory authorities, and academic leadership—including the President, Alumni Association, Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar—to support and disseminate urgently needed reforms to the Pharmacy Act, 1967.
As Pakistan’s healthcare landscape evolves, gaps in the current Act—particularly concerning the regulation, training, and scope of practice for Category-B (Pharmacy Technician) professionals—have become increasingly evident. The UPA emphasizes that modernizing the Act is essential to ensuring patient safety, workforce competence, and uniform national standards across all provinces.
Key Elements of UPA’s Reform Demands
1. Modern Legal Definitions
Clear, standardized definitions for Register-A pharmacists and Register-B technicians must be incorporated into the law to eliminate ambiguity and inconsistent provincial interpretations.
2. National Standards for Registration & Training
The UPA calls for a uniform national examination, accredited curricula, and verified practical training hours before any individual may enter Register-B.
3. Accreditation of Institutions
Training institutions offering Category-B programs must be subject to mandatory accreditation, periodic audits, and compliance with Council-approved academic and clinical standards.
4. Defined Scope of Practice
A new statutory Scope of Practice Schedule should outline in detail the permissible and restricted responsibilities of Category-B practitioners—protecting both public safety and professional integrity.
5. Transitional Measures for Current Workforce
UPA supports fair, time-bound transitional arrangements for existing institutions and practitioners to comply with new regulations without disrupting healthcare access.
6. Strengthened Enforcement
Inspection authority, penalties, and licence-related enforcement mechanisms must be enhanced to address unsafe or unlawful dispensing practices.
UPA President’s Statement
“Pakistan’s pharmacy sector stands at a critical turning point. Without urgent legislative reform, the nation risks widening gaps in patient safety, education quality, and professional accountability. The United Pharmacists Association calls upon our academic, regulatory, and legislative partners to unite behind a modernized Pharmacy Act that safeguards the public and strengthens our profession.”
Call to Action
UPA invites:
• Parliament to prioritize amendments to the Pharmacy Act, 1967
• The Pharmacy Council of Pakistan to prepare detailed schedules and accreditation criteria
• Academic and alumni bodies, including the University of Peshawar’s Department of Pharmacy Alumni Association, to actively support and circulate these proposals
• Provincial pharmacy councils to provide coordinated feedback and prepare implementation plans
About the United Pharmacists Association
The UPA is a national professional body committed to promoting evidence-based pharmacy practice, advocating for regulatory reform, and strengthening the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians across Pakistan’s healthcare system.
