[LEGAL ARTICLE]
Can a doctor open a pharmacy? The answer is yes, but not all doctors are qualified to open a pharmacy. Because in addition to being responsible for the pharmacy, it is also necessary to ensure the prescription for the patient. Therefore, being the person in charge of a pharmacy requires more conditions. Through today's article we will learn about this issue.

1. What is a pharmaceutical business establishment?
According to Clause 2, Article 32 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016, pharmaceutical business establishments include:
Manufacturers of drugs and medicinal ingredients;
Establishments exporting and importing drugs and medicinal ingredients;
Establishments providing preservation services for drugs and medicinal ingredients;
Establishments that wholesale drugs and medicinal ingredients;
Drug-retailing establishments include drugstores, drugstores, medicine cabinets at commune health stations, establishments specializing in retailing of herbal ingredients, herbal medicines, and traditional drugs;
Establishments providing testing services for drugs and medicinal ingredients;
Establishments providing clinical trial services;
Establishments providing bioequivalence testing services of drugs
Thus, opening a drugstore is a drug-retailing establishment, including pharmacies, drugstores, medicine cabinets at commune health stations, and establishments specializing in retailing pharmaceutical drugs, herbal medicines, and traditional drugs.

2. Positions requiring a pharmacy practice certificate:
According to Clause 1, Article 11 of the 2016 Pharmacy Law, the positions requiring a pharmacy practice certificate include: The person in charge of pharmacy expertise of the pharmacy business establishment. Therefore, according to Clause 2, Article 33 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016 on conditions for granting a Certificate of eligibility for pharmacy business, a pharmacy practice certificate must be obtained that is suitable for a drug retailer.
Conditions for the person in charge of pharmacy expertise:
According to Clause 1, Article 31 of the 2009 Law on Medical Examination and Treatment: “To practice in accordance with the scope of professional activities stated in the practice certificate.” Therefore, a doctor who wants to practice pharmacy must have a certificate of pharmacy practice in order to practice within the scope of the granted professional certificates.
According to Clause 2, Article 18 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016: “The person in charge of pharmacy expertise of a pharmacy must have one of the professional qualifications specified at Points a, e or g, Clause 1, Article 13 of this Law and have 18 months practice at an appropriate pharmacy establishment.”
According to Point a, Clause 6, Article 20 of Decree 54/2017/ND-CP: “The person in charge of pharmacy expertise of a pharmacy, drugstore, or medicine cabinet at a commune health station must practice one of the contents of professional practice. the following subjects: Wholesale and retail of drugs; import and export of drugs; clinical pharmacy, drug supply in medical examination and treatment establishments; Drug Production; testing drugs and medicinal ingredients; pharmaceutical research; drug preservation; drug distribution; pharmacy management at the pharmaceutical regulatory agency;
Thus, the necessary conditions include:
- Professional diploma:
- University diploma in pharmacy;
- College diploma in pharmacy;
- High school diploma in pharmacy.
– 18 months of professional practice at an appropriate pharmacy establishment.
– Practice one of the following professional contents: Wholesale and retail of drugs; import and export of drugs; clinical pharmacy, drug supply in medical examination and treatment establishments; Drug Production; testing drugs and medicinal ingredients; pharmaceutical research; drug preservation; drug distribution; pharmaceutical management at the pharmaceutical regulatory agency.

So, if the doctor has all the conditions for qualifications, practice time, professional practice content according to the regulations mentioned above, you can still open a pharmacy. Depending on the business location, the degree of professional qualification must comply with other binding conditions. In remote areas, remote areas and islands, the professional conditions will be lower and the preferential regime is more than in the central areas to encourage medical staff to volunteer to difficult areas. , enhance health care for the people.
If you need free legal advice, please message us on Fanpage or contact us via hotline (84–28) 2253 7956, website www.medlaw.vn.
#medlaw #tuvanphapluatmienphi