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To open a pharmacy you need an official license for the retail sale of medicinal products, approved by Ukrainian legislation. This permit guarantees the safety and quality of pharmaceutical services. According to the Licensing Conditions approved by КМУ № 929 (2016), a business entity submits an application in the prescribed form and attaches a complete set of supporting documents. The requirements are strict: the pharmacy must comply with sanitary and technical standards, have qualified staff and a certain minimum premises area. For example, in cities a pharmacy must have at least 50 m² of retail area (total sales hall ≥18 m²), and in villages – 18 m² (with a sales hall ≥6 m²).

Therefore, before submitting the documents you should make sure the pharmacy premises meet the requirements: separate entrance, vestibule, pharmaceutical fittings, availability of auxiliary rooms and first-aid kit. In addition, you must have a staff of pharmacists and pharmacy managers with the required qualifications. Considering these requirements, pharmacy licensing is a comprehensive process that involves careful preparation and verification of documents and the actual conditions of the pharmacy.

Key documents for obtaining a license

Before submitting an application for a license you need to collect a full list of documents. Below are the main items that are attached to the application:

• information about the material and technical base and staff of the pharmacy (form according to appendix 5 to the Licensing Conditions), confirming the availability of equipment and the roster of pharmacists;
• a copy of the passport (for ФОП with a mark about refusal of the tax number – if this applies to you);
• information on the absence of control by residents of aggressor countries (in accordance with the laws “On the Defence of Ukraine” and “On the Protection of Competition”);
• two copies of the description of the submitted documents (form – appendix 8 to the Licensing Conditions).

Each item on this list is mandatory. The list of documents and application forms are published on the Держлікслужби website and in the official Licensing Conditions. Before assembling the document package you should consult a lawyer – this will help account for all the nuances of pharmacy licensing.

After preparing the documents they should be submitted to the regional licensing authority (Держлікслужби) at the place of registration. First, the application and documents are checked for compliance with formal requirements. Then an inspection of the actual state of the pharmacy may be carried out. Based on the results, within the time limits established by law, a decision is issued to grant the license or to refuse.

License obtaining procedure – step by step

To successfully obtain a pharmacy license you need to complete several stages in the correct order. Using advice from a lawyer or consultant, follow the step-by-step scheme below:

1. Collect the required documents and complete the application. In particular, prepare the application form (appendix 1 to the Licensing Conditions) and the information on the availability of the base and staff (appendix 5).
2. Obtain technical passports and certificates. Ensure that the premises are equipped according to the requirements: refrigerators, ventilation, pharmacy cabinets, etc.
3. Pay state fees and duties. A state fee is usually provided for the license. The tariff amount may change, so check the current rates (for example, on the treasury website).
4. Submit the documents to Держлікслужба. The application with all copies of documents must be delivered in person or sent by mail (registered letter).
5. Undergo inspection and wait for the decision. The licensing authority should carry out an inspection of the pharmacy (if necessary) and make a decision. If positive, you will receive the official license document.

Each of these steps should be performed carefully. Omitting even one document or careless preparation may lead to refusal or delay. Therefore it is better to immediately contact a qualified lawyer or licensing consultant who has experience in this area.

Overall, Ukraine’s pharmaceutical market is highly competitive. Reports from Proxima Research and the media show that as of 2024 the number of pharmacies decreased by almost 20% compared to the pre-war level (there were over 19 000, now slightly more than 15 000). Most hospitals and pharmacy outlets are concentrated in large cities, but pharmacies still frequently open and close there. The most popular chains («Подорожник», «9-1-1», АНЦ, «Бажаємо здоров’я») control about 60% of the retail market and own one third of all pharmacies in the country.

• the largest number of pharmacies is in Kyiv region (≈1839), Dnipro (≈825), Lviv (≈731), Kharkiv (≈618) and Odesa (≈404);
• leading chains open most of the new outlets (96% of the 977 pharmacies opened in 2024);
• at the same time access to a pharmacy can be more difficult in villages and frontline areas, where the network is shrinking.

Given these trends, opening a new pharmacy requires a justification of profitability. Many entrepreneurs who want to avoid difficulties turn to ready-made solutions. On the internet you can find offers to “buy a ready company with a pharmacy license”. However, lawyers warn: such services usually involve risks, for example the use of schemes of “nominal service” (official managers as a “facade” instead of the real owners). This contradicts the transparency of licensing and can lead to license revocation or fines. Therefore it is better to register everything legally from scratch or with the help of verified specialists, obtain official legal advice and invest in an honest process.

The most important thing is to strictly comply with all legal requirements: correctly fill out the application, provide proof of staff qualifications and facilities, pay the fees and act transparently. Remember that a pharmacy license is not just a formality, but a guarantee that your pharmacy will operate according to the rules and serve the public.