The Misdemeanor Commercial Division of the Court of First Instance acquitted a pharmacist of charges involving the advertising of a medical drug without a license from the Ministry of Health as well as the operation of a medical office without the necessary authorization. The verdict was issued on Tuesday following arguments presented by the defense. Court proceedings examined whether the evidence linked the defendant to the alleged violations.
Lawyer Nawaf Ali Al-Wuhaib informed the court that his client was not the individual identified in the charges and maintained no connection whatsoever to the incident in question. The defense pointed out that the second charge did not correspond to any criminal provision listed in the indictment. Al-Wuhaib additionally argued that unfamiliarity with the applicable non-criminal regulatory framework surrounding medical licenses removed the element of criminal intent.
The lawyer noted that the pharmacist had denied the accusations at every stage of the case. According to Al-Wuhaib the documentation assembled by prosecutors fell short of the threshold required for a guilty verdict. These points formed the basis for the court’s decision to acquit.
Pharmaceutical advertising in Kuwait is governed by strict rules issued by the Ministry of Health. Ministerial Decision No. 9/2025 establishes the specific regulations for medical ads in private pharmaceutical centers and retail outlets. The framework seeks to prevent unauthorized promotion of drugs to the public.
Increased enforcement has led to numerous actions against violating pharmacies across the country. Kuwait Times reported in July 2025 that the Court of Cassation affirmed the closure and license revocation for 60 pharmacies found operating contrary to pharmacy laws. Health Minister Ahmad Al-Awadhi characterized the decisions as a victory for the law that protects society and pharmaceutical security.
Government agencies have collaborated to uphold standards in the pharmacy sector. The Ministry of Health works with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry along with other entities to monitor compliance. These efforts focus on preserving the professionalism and safety of medication distribution and advertising.
