‘97% of Pakistan’s pharmacies fail to store medicines properly’

With an alarming 97 percent of pharmacies in Pakistan lacking temperature-controlled storage and biograde refrigeration, raising serious concerns about drug efficacy and patient safety, Alkhidmat Foundation has launched a new temperature-controlled home delivery pharmacy service aimed at transforming pharmaceutical care in the country.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held at Alkhidmat Headquarters in Karachi on Friday, health experts shared findings from a recent cross-sectional survey which inspected 1,003 drug stores across Pakistan. Only 4.1% of these stores were found compliant with regulatory requirements, while nearly 75% were selling general items alongside medicines, and a mere 12% had any qualified personnel—only a third of whom were pharmacists.

“Poor storage conditions directly compromise the potency of medicines. Only 11.4% of drug stores were found selling vaccines without proper refrigerators, and just 11.7% had power backup for refrigeration. With only 5.4% air-conditioned and most exposed to direct sunlight, this is a public health hazard,” said Syed Jamshed Ahmed, Director of Alkhidmat Pharmacy Services.

In response to these dangerous gaps, Alkhidmat has introduced its pharmacy home delivery service that ensures medicines are stored and transported under strict temperature control standards. “Our aim is to guarantee the quality and safety of medicines while making them more accessible and affordable for the people,” he added.

The service offers up to a 15% discount on essential medicines and delivers them directly to patients’ homes through a temperature-controlled supply chain—something almost unheard of in Pakistan’s retail pharmacy sector.

Umaima Muzammil, Deputy Director of Alkhidmat Pharmacy Services, criticized the current landscape where most drug outlets are unregulated and run by untrained staff. “We don’t have pharmacies, we have drug stores. Misreading prescriptions, dispensing wrong medicines, and storing drugs improperly are common issues that can lead to severe consequences, even death,” she warned.

Chief Networking Officer Naveed Baig noted that Alkhidmat is not operating this service as a business venture but as a public service initiative. “Most pharmacies are profit-driven. In contrast, we want to provide affordable, safe, and effective medicines to every household. When inflation is at an all-time high, this is genuine relief for patients,” he said.

He also highlighted Alkhidmat’s wider healthcare efforts, including Pakistan’s most affordable MRI services and expanded diagnostic facilities for low-income families. “Many families spend more on medicines than food. Through this service, we aim to reduce that burden significantly,” he said.

The survey also found that 33.4% of stores were operating with expired drug licenses, while less than half (47.4%) even displayed valid licenses. Just 40.2% of stores were protected from direct sunlight—an essential requirement for drug stability.

By ensuring proper storage, professional handling, and affordable access, Alkhidmat’s new initiative sets a new benchmark in pharmaceutical service delivery in Pakistan.

“This service is not just about delivery—it’s about delivering dignity, safety, and care,” said Syed Jamshed Ahmed, adding that their model could become a blueprint for responsible pharmacy practices nationwide.