Health minister calls for reforms of pharmacy licensing rules

As part of Ghana’s efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed the Pharmacy Council to reform the criteria for awarding pharmacy licences, shifting from a distance-based system to a population-based model.

Speaking at a two-day Expanded Stakeholders’ Retreat in Accra on January 15, 2026, the minister said the existing system which focuses on the proximity of pharmacies to one another no longer adequately serves the country’s evolving healthcare needs.

According to him, licensing decisions should instead be guided by population size to ensure equitable access to medicines, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

The new approach is expected to promote a more balanced distribution of pharmacies across the country and strengthen Ghana’s drive toward accessible and affordable healthcare for all.

Akandoh also urged the Pharmacy Council and other regulatory bodies to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure a smooth transition to the new licensing framework, noting that the reforms are critical to reducing disparities in healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes nationwide.