The Ministry of Health has announced a major reform in the licensing of pharmacies as part of Ghana’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

In a Facebook post on Thursday, 15 January, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, directed the Pharmacy Council to shift from the existing distance-based licensing regime to a population-based system.

The announcement was made at a two-day Expanded Stakeholders’ Retreat convened by the Ministry to deliberate on strategies for improving healthcare delivery nationwide.

Addressing participants at the retreat, Mr Akandoh explained that the previous approach, which focused largely on the physical distance between pharmacies, no longer adequately responds to the health needs of the population.

Under the new framework, the issuance of pharmacy licences will be guided by population density rather than proximity to existing pharmacies.

The Ministry said the policy is aimed at promoting a more equitable distribution of pharmacies across the country, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities that have long experienced limited access to pharmaceutical services.

The Ministry further confirmed that the Pharmacy Council will begin implementing the new licensing system immediately, describing the move as a decisive step towards more accessible, equitable and efficient healthcare for all Ghanaians.

“The new approach is expected to improve the distribution of pharmacies nationwide and strengthen Ghana’s push towards accessible healthcare for all.”