The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has approved its first-ever Policy for Integration of Pharmacy Services in health facilities, marking a historic shift in how medicines are managed and delivered across the province. The decision by the provincial cabinet reflects a strong commitment to reforming public health systems, improving patient care, and ensuring safe access to essential drugs.

Under the new policy, the province will establish pharmacovigilance centres to monitor adverse drug reactions, as well as drug information and poison-control centres to provide timely guidance. “Fair-price pharmacies” will be set up in public hospitals, aiming to deliver quality medicines at affordable rates to the public.

Another major target is to strengthen the drug-control administration and laboratory services: good laboratory practices will be promoted to ensure reliable medicine testing. The supply chain for drugs will also be formalised to minimize shortages and ensure that facilities always have an adequate stock of essential medicines.

Beyond supply, the policy recognises the value of pharmacists as clinical professionals. Instead of merely dispensing drugs, pharmacists will now play a more proactive role in patient care and hospital management. Their engagement in treatment decisions, medicine counselling, and drug utilisation is expected to improve overall patient outcomes and reduce medication-related errors.

One key motivation for this reform is to reduce antimicrobial resistance. By promoting rational and evidence-based use of antibiotics and other critical drugs, the policy aims to slow the spread of drug-resistant infections in the province.

The government also hopes that the reform will shorten hospital stays since better drug management could prevent complications and improve recovery times. Over time, it could lead to more efficient use of resources in health facilities and better patient safety.

Officials say this policy represents a major milestone in KP’s health sector reform agenda. Implementing it effectively, however, will depend on capacity building, proper training of pharmacists, continuous monitoring, and transparent governance. If done right, this integration could set a new standard in Pakistan’s public health system.