Opening a pharmacy in Thailand does not start with fitting out the shop or ordering stock — it starts with the licence. A modern-medicine pharmacy must be authorised by the Thai FDA or the Provincial Public Health Office before it can operate, and it must pass the GPP standard.
This starter guide covers the whole picture: licence types, the documents to prepare, filing via the e-Submission system, GPP basics, and the systems and equipment to have ready from day one — so you open correctly and are ready for inspection.
Pharmacy licence types (Kor Yor)
There are several modern-medicine sales licences by scope. A general pharmacy selling modern medicines with a resident pharmacist falls under Kor Yor 1 (ขย.1). Other types are narrower — for example selling only pre-packaged medicines that are not dangerous/specially controlled drugs.
- Kor Yor 1 — sells all modern-medicine types; requires a pharmacist present throughout opening hours
- Other types — limited to certain drug groups (e.g. pre-packaged non-dangerous medicines)
- Licences have a validity period and must be renewed on schedule
Documents to prepare
Prepare your documents and qualifications fully before filing, to avoid rejection. Typically these include:
- The sales-licence application form (per FDA/provincial format)
- Applicant (owner) identification, plus company registration if applying as a company
- The responsible pharmacist’s credentials (professional licence) and consent-to-work letter
- Location map, shop layout and photos of the premises/equipment showing GPP readiness
- Proof of rights to the premises (e.g. lease or ownership documents)
File via the FDA/provincial e-Submission
Most applications are now filed through the Thai FDA’s e-Submission system. You must register for system access first, then complete the application and attach documents online. Shops outside Bangkok usually go through their local Provincial Public Health Office.
After filing and paying the fee, officials schedule an on-site inspection to assess GPP readiness before issuing the licence. So prepare the shop before the inspection date, not after.
GPP basics you must meet
GPP (Good Pharmacy Practice) is what inspectors use to assess readiness, covering premises, personnel and record-keeping. Points new shops most often need to prepare include:
- Sufficient sales and counselling space (generally at least around 8 sq.m.), with a defined counselling area
- A pharmacist present throughout the opening hours stated on the licence
- Proper drug storage — sorted, temperature-controlled, with expired/deteriorated medicines separated
- A system to record purchases/sales, controlled drugs, lot numbers and expiry dates, all auditable
- Signage and information displays as the law requires
Systems and equipment to prepare from day one
A thing new shops often forget is the record-keeping system, which is a direct part of GPP. Preparing your POS and stock management from day one keeps the shop inspection-ready and avoids reconstructing records later.
A good pharmacy POS should deduct stock automatically on sale, tie in lot and expiry, capture goods receipts, issue sequentially numbered receipts/tax invoices, and keep searchable sales history — the foundation that makes meeting GPP record-keeping far easier.
- A POS that deducts stock automatically and ties in lot/expiry
- Goods-receipt capture with lot numbers and cost
- Receipts/tax invoices and retained, searchable sales reports
- Basic equipment: barcode scanner, receipt printer and QR/PromptPay payment
Approximate costs
The cost of opening a pharmacy splits into two main parts: government fees and setup costs. Licence and renewal fees follow FDA/provincial rates, which you should always check for the latest figures before filing, as they may change.
Setup cost depends on location, shop size, fit-out, opening stock and the systems you choose. Budgeting from the start and choosing a system with clear, transparent costs helps you control spend.
- Licence and renewal fees (check the latest rates with the FDA/provincial office)
- Fit-out and space arrangement to pass GPP
- Opening drug stock and working capital
- POS/stock systems and related equipment
Frequently asked questions
Does opening a pharmacy require a pharmacist?
A modern-medicine pharmacy (Kor Yor 1) requires a responsible pharmacist present throughout the opening hours stated on the licence — a requirement of both the law and the GPP standard.
What is the minimum area for a pharmacy?
Under GPP, the shop should have sufficient sales and counselling space — generally cited as at least around 8 sq.m. with a defined counselling area. Check the latest criteria with the FDA/provincial office.
Where do I file the application?
Mostly via the Thai FDA e-Submission system. Bangkok shops deal with the FDA; shops elsewhere go through the local Provincial Public Health Office.
Should I set up a POS when I open?
Yes. Recording purchases/sales, lot numbers and expiry is part of GPP. Preparing a POS and stock management from day one keeps you inspection-ready and avoids reconstructing records later.
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