DRAP compliance is not a formality — it is the difference between a genuine pharmacy and a risky one. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan sets the rules that protect patients from counterfeit, substandard and expired medicines.
The essentials are simple to list: a valid drug sales licence displayed prominently, a registered pharmacist on the premises during operating hours, purchase and sale records that can be traced, and stock sourced only from licensed distributors. Controlled drugs must be stored and recorded separately.
Physical compliance matters too: medicines stored at correct temperatures, no damaged or expired stock on shelves, clean premises and proper labelling. Regular self-audits against a written checklist catch problems before inspectors or patients do.
For a franchise investor, compliance is where a structured partner adds real value. Standardised supply channels, trained staff and audit systems mean the branch stays compliant without the owner becoming a regulatory expert overnight.
What does DRAP compliance require from a pharmacy?
DRAP compliance means a valid drug sales licence, a registered pharmacist on the premises, traceable purchase and sale records, licensed supply and correct storage of medicines.
How do you stay DRAP compliant as a pharmacy owner?
Stay compliant by auditing yourself monthly against a written checklist — licences, records, storage temperatures, controlled drugs and staff presence — before inspectors or patients do.
What does a monthly DRAP self-audit look like?
Run a monthly self-audit against a printed checklist, and keep the completed copy on file. Start with the licence: displayed prominently and current. Confirm the registered pharmacist is present during all operating hours, with a roster proving it. Pull five random purchase invoices and verify each matches a batch record, a licensed distributor and a sale record — traceability is the core of compliance. Check storage: temperature logs for the general zone and the 2–8°C fridge, with no damaged or expired stock on shelves. Open the controlled cabinet and reconcile the count against the register. Review the complaint and recall log, and confirm expired stock is quarantined and returned, not sold or binned. Finally, check that staff know what to do when an inspector visits and that records are accessible. Score each item pass or fail, fix failures within a week and sign off. Keep the completed audit in a folder for the year, because inspectors value a visible history of self-checks. Monthly self-audits keep branches inspection-ready all year instead of scrambling when an inspection actually happens.
