How to Open a Pharmacy in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide, Requirements, and License

The pharmacy business is one of the few sectors that remains profitable even during times of crisis, with demand for medicine outlets in every community across Ukraine. However, entering this market requires obtaining the proper permits as well as a solid understanding of the legal requirements.

Pharmaceutical retail is a licensed activity subject to strict regulations. Opening a pharmacy typically involves registering as a legal entity or sole proprietor, preparing the necessary documentation, undergoing inspection by the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control, and complying with all established standards.

We’ve been helping entrepreneurs open pharmacies for more than 10 years, working both with individuals launching their very first location and with large chains expanding their footprint. This experience has given us a clear understanding of the most common mistakes, how long the process really takes, and how to avoid unnecessary delays. In this article, we’ll share our expertise and explain:

• How to register a pharmacy
• Whether it’s possible to open a pharmacy without a pharmaceutical degree
• What documents you need to prepare
• What the state requires and how to successfully obtain a license for a pharmaceutical business in Ukraine

Whether you’re planning to open a pharmacy from scratch or scale an existing network, this guide from a medical lawyer is for you.

You might also like: How to Open a Pharmacy in a Village: Setting Up a Ramp and Adapting the Premises

Who Can Open a Pharmacy

A pharmacy can be opened either by a sole proprietor or by a legal entity, such as an LLC. The choice of legal form directly affects the requirements for the owner and the staff, particularly the qualifications required of the pharmacy manager.

Opening a Pharmacy as a Sole Proprietor

A sole proprietor is allowed to open a pharmacy without hiring employees only if the entrepreneur personally holds a higher pharmaceutical degree (master’s or specialist level) and has at least two years of professional experience in retail pharmaceutical sales. In this case, the owner serves directly as the responsible pharmacist.

Can a pharmacy owner lack a pharmaceutical degree? Yes. An entrepreneur without a pharmaceutical background can still open a pharmacy by employing a licensed pharmacist who meets all the necessary qualifications.

Opening a Pharmacy as an LLC

For a legal entity, the founder or director is not required to have a pharmaceutical degree. However, the company must officially appoint a responsible pharmacist, an employee with a relevant degree, at least two years of professional experience, and formal employment with the company.

This specialist is accountable for ensuring compliance with all licensing requirements in the pharmacy’s day-to-day operations.

Please note! A pharmacist cannot simultaneously serve as the responsible specialist for multiple legal entities or pharmacies owned by different parties.

Steps to Open a Pharmacy in Ukraine

Registering a pharmacy is a complex process that involves a series of legal, technical, and organizational steps. The success of your business depends on choosing the right legal form and properly preparing the documentation, while strict compliance with sanitary and licensing standards ensures lawful and safe operations.

Let’s take a closer look at the key stages of opening a pharmacy to help you navigate the process.

1. Choosing the Legal Form of Business

Decide whether you will open the pharmacy as a sole proprietor (FOP) or as a legal entity (LLC). As mentioned earlier, an FOP must have a pharmaceutical degree and relevant work experience, while for an LLC this is not required. The key is to have a qualified responsible pharmacist on staff.

2. Finding a Premises

The pharmacy premises must meet sanitary and technical requirements, including proper ventilation, water supply, lighting, storage areas, and customer service zones. In addition, obtaining a conclusion on accessibility for people with reduced mobility, based on an inspection of the premises, is a mandatory condition for opening a pharmacy.

3. Preparing and Submitting Documents

You will need to compile a package of documents, including: an application, staff information, property documents for the premises, details about the equipment, and a lease or ownership agreement. These must then be submitted to the licensing authority.

4. Preparing for Opening

Set up the customer information corner, install the necessary equipment, implement accounting systems, and complete all preparations for full operation.

You can go through the pharmacy opening process on your own or seek legal support to minimize risks and avoid unnecessary delays.

Key Requirements for Obtaining a Pharmacy License

What do you need to open a pharmacy? In Ukraine, a pharmacy license requires compliance with a set of mandatory conditions. The licensing requirements for opening a pharmacy are established by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 929.

Please note! If you plan to scale your pharmacy network by opening new pharmacies, pharmacy outlets, or branches, each new location must obtain a separate license.

Pharmacy Premises Requirements

• The premises must be a separate space suitable for storing and selling medicines.
• It must be equipped with a water supply, ventilation, proper lighting, and sanitary facilities.
• The area should be large enough to accommodate a retail zone, a storage zone for medicines, and utility rooms.
• If the pharmacy sells medicines that require special conditions (for example, cold storage), appropriate refrigeration equipment must be installed.

Pharmacy Staff Requirements

To operate a pharmacy business in Ukraine, the staff must include at least one employee with a full higher pharmaceutical education (pharmacist or specialist) and at least two years of experience in retail medicine sales.

This person serves as the responsible pharmacist and must be officially employed by the pharmacy. Valid diplomas, certificates, and proof of work experience are mandatory.

Pharmacy Equipment Requirements

A pharmacy must be equipped in accordance with established standards, including:

• Safes or metal cabinets for storing medicines
• Refrigerators with thermometers (if required)
• Accounting tools (logbooks, pharmacy software)
• Cash register (RRO/PRRO)
• Pharmacy scales for weighing
• Packaging and labeling tools

In addition, the pharmacy must have a customer information corner with details about the license, opening hours, contact information, and a complaints book.

Please note! A license for pharmaceutical activity will not be issued if even one of these requirements is not met.

Obtaining a Pharmacy License in Ukraine

Documents required for submitting a pharmacy license application include:

• Application for obtaining a license
• Information about the pharmacy’s material and technical base
• Confirmation that the applicant is not under external control by another business entity
• Two copies of the description form

Where to Submit Pharmacy License Documents

The full package of documents must be submitted to the regional office of the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control, either electronically through the Unified State Portal of Administrative Services or in paper form, in person or by mail. When submitted electronically, all documents must be signed with a qualified electronic signature (QES).

Review Period for a Pharmacy License Application

The State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control reviews submitted documents within 10 business days from the date of receipt. In addition, the regional office of the Service conducts a pre-licensing inspection of the pharmacy to verify that its material and technical base, as well as staff qualifications, meet the established requirements and match the submitted documentation.

If deficiencies or inconsistencies are identified during the inspection, the applicant is given time to correct them.

You might also like: Accessibility Assessment for People with Reduced Mobility: Why Obtaining the Report Matters

Why You Should Consult a Medical Lawyer

Opening a pharmacy is always about complying with numerous requirements. The biggest challenge, however, lies not in the number of rules but in the small details that may seem insignificant yet can derail the entire process. This is where legal support becomes a key factor for success.

Most mistakes occur not due to carelessness, but because of a lack of awareness or insufficient experience. The most common pitfalls include:

• Lease agreements that do not meet licensing requirements
• Errors in formally hiring or registering the pharmacist
• Premises that fail to meet sanitary or technical standards
• Submitting an incomplete or incorrect license application package

A medical lawyer’s role goes far beyond filing paperwork. It’s about anticipating risks, strategically building a pharmacy business with scalability in mind, and ensuring legal literacy in every decision, from launch to daily operations.

It is especially important to involve a lawyer if:

• You are opening your first pharmacy and want to avoid spending months fixing mistakes
• You plan to build a pharmacy network or open outlets and are considering a franchise model
• Your premises or chosen legal structure have non-standard features
• You are already operating but started without a license and need to legalize your business without penalties

Legal support gives entrepreneurs the most valuable thing: the freedom to focus on business growth instead of struggling with regulators.

Comprehensive Legal Support for Opening a Pharmacy

Legal assistance in launching a pharmacy is not about giving generic advice — it’s about providing a clear action plan, identifying hidden pitfalls from the very start, and saving the most valuable resource you have today: your time.

We offer full “turnkey” support for opening a pharmacy, which means you:

• Don’t waste months trying to navigate changes in licensing requirements
• Avoid losing time due to the wrong choice of business structure or premises
• Eliminate the risk of rejection by the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control over formal errors in your documents
• Never face inspections alone

We support you from the planning stage, checking every step along the way. Our legal services include:

• Assessing your business idea and advising on the best legal structure (sole proprietor or LLC)
• Reviewing premises for compliance with licensing requirements and, if needed, handling legal formalities
• Structuring cooperation with a responsible pharmacist and assisting with HR documentation
• Verifying staff diplomas, certificates, and work experience
• Preparing a complete licensing package in accordance with the requirements of the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control
• Submitting documents in the correct format (including via the Unified State Portal)
• Guiding the application process, addressing any remarks through to final license approval

If you’re looking not just for a lawyer but for a partner who understands the specifics of the pharmaceutical business, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us and you’ll receive not only advice, but real solutions.