Three pharmacies warned after operating without registered pharmacists

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has issued formal warnings to three pharmacy businesses found operating without a registered pharmacist on duty during business hours.

The breaches were uncovered during the commission’s nationwide pharmacy audit for the 2025-26 financial year, which inspected 70 pharmacies across Fiji.

FCCC said the three pharmacies breached Condition 2 of their Pharmacy Business Authorisation, which requires a registered pharmacist to be on the premises whenever the pharmacy is open.

The commission said the requirement was fundamental to the lawful operation of a pharmacy and was essential to protecting consumers and ensuring professional pharmaceutical services.

It said a registered pharmacist was needed to ensure medicines were dispensed safely, dosages were checked and patients received proper advice about the medicines they were buying.

“A pharmacy trading without a pharmacist may expose consumers to potential risks,” the commission said.

FCCC said compliance with Pharmacy Business Authorisation conditions was mandatory and breaches could result in further regulatory action, including revocation of the authorisation under Section 45(3B) of the Pharmacy Profession Act 2011.

Despite the breaches, the audit found that 67 of the 70 pharmacies inspected were fully compliant with their authorisation conditions.

FCCC acknowledged the professionalism of the compliant pharmacies and their pharmacists, saying regulatory action against non-compliant operators helped protect consumers while maintaining a level playing field for businesses that met patient safety requirements.

The commission said it would continue auditing pharmacies throughout Fiji.

Consumers concerned about the operation of a pharmacy, including the absence of a registered pharmacist during opening hours, are encouraged to