The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the province’s first-ever Policy for Integration of Pharmacy Services in Health Facilities, marking a major milestone in healthcare reform and improved patient safety.
According to a notification issued by the Health Department, the policy received formal approval from the Provincial Cabinet under Rule 25(3) of the KP Government Rules of Business, 1985.
The policy aims to improve access to quality medicines, reduce treatment costs, and strengthen drug safety systems across hospitals and primary health centers.
It includes the establishment of pharmacovigilance centers, drug information and poison control centers, and fair price pharmacies to ensure the availability of affordable, quality-assured medicines.
The plan also focuses on enhancing drug control administration, improving laboratory practices for medicine testing, and ensuring a reliable pharmaceutical supply chain.
A key feature of the policy is the optimal utilization of pharmacy professionals.
Pharmacists will take on expanded roles in patient care, hospital management, and rational medicine use, improving treatment outcomes and reducing hospital stays.
The KP government called the policy a “milestone achievement” in its ongoing health sector reforms, reaffirming its commitment to improving healthcare quality, efficiency, and accountability.
The reforms are expected to contribute significantly to the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through evidence-based medicine use and strengthened surveillance systems.
The detailed policy document is available on the official website of the Health Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.