Introduction
Opening a pharmacy in Turkey is not a simple commercial registration process. A pharmacy is legally regarded as a healthcare institution, and pharmacy practice is a regulated healthcare profession. For this reason, anyone who wants to understand how to open a pharmacy in Turkey must carefully examine Turkish pharmacy law, administrative licensing rules, professional eligibility requirements, population-based pharmacy planning, premises standards and post-opening compliance obligations.
Unlike ordinary retail businesses, pharmacies in Turkey cannot be freely opened by companies, investors or non-pharmacists. The Turkish system is based on the principle that the supply of medicines must be personally supervised by a qualified pharmacist. This approach protects patient safety, professional independence, medicine traceability and public health.
The primary legal source governing the opening and operation of pharmacies is Law No. 6197 on Pharmacists and Pharmacies. This law defines pharmacy practice, determines who may practice pharmacy, regulates pharmacy licensing, sets restrictions on pharmacy ownership and contains rules on transfer, relocation, closure, prescription medicines and professional responsibility. The Ministry of Health publishes the text of Law No. 6197 as one of the core legal instruments governing pharmacists and pharmacies in Turkey.
In addition to Law No. 6197, the Regulation on Pharmacists and Pharmacies provides practical rules on the opening, operation, transfer, relocation and closure of pharmacies. The regulation states that its purpose is to determine pharmacists’ duties, powers and responsibilities and to regulate procedures concerning pharmacy opening, operation, relocation, transfer, closure and pharmacy services.
Therefore, opening a pharmacy in Turkey requires both professional eligibility and administrative authorization. A pharmacist must not only hold the required qualifications but must also comply with population quota rules, submit the necessary documentation, obtain the relevant license and operate the pharmacy under strict regulatory supervision.
Legal Framework for Opening a Pharmacy in Turkey
The legal framework for opening a pharmacy in Turkey is based on a combination of statutory law, secondary legislation and administrative practice. The most important legal instruments include Law No. 6197 on Pharmacists and Pharmacies, Law No. 1262 on Pharmaceutical and Medical Preparations, the Regulation on Pharmacists and Pharmacies, the Turkish Pharmacists’ Association legislation and rules issued by the Ministry of Health and the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, known as TİTCK. Provincial health directorates also play a practical role in pharmacy licensing and supervision.
This multi-layered system means that a pharmacy opening process cannot be evaluated only from a commercial perspective. The applicant must review whether they are legally entitled to practice pharmacy, whether the desired district has an available quota, whether the premises satisfy the required standards, whether the application documents are complete and whether the pharmacist has complied with assistant pharmacist or placement-related requirements.
The legal nature of pharmacy practice is also important. Law No. 6197 defines pharmacy broadly as the opening and operation of pharmacies, pharmaceutical warehouses, medicine cabinets, galenic and pharmaceutical laboratories, manufacturing facilities and responsible management in such institutions. This definition shows that pharmacy practice is not limited to selling medicines; it is a regulated professional activity connected to medicine preparation, storage, supply and public health.
Who Can Open a Pharmacy in Turkey?
The first and most important requirement is professional eligibility. Under Law No. 6197, a person must meet certain conditions in order to practice pharmacy in Turkey. These include being a Turkish citizen, holding a pharmacy diploma from a Turkish pharmacy school or faculty, or having a foreign pharmacy diploma recognized under the relevant legal procedures, having the diploma registered by the health authority and not being subject to legal obstacles that prevent the practice of pharmacy.
This means that a pharmacy cannot be opened by an ordinary investor, a limited liability company, a joint-stock company or a non-pharmacist entrepreneur. Turkish pharmacy law links pharmacy ownership and management to the professional status of the pharmacist. The pharmacist is not merely a front-facing employee; they are the responsible professional who must legally supervise the pharmacy.
This rule is particularly important for foreign investors. In many countries, pharmacy chains and corporate pharmacy ownership structures are possible. In Turkey, however, pharmacy ownership is much more restrictive. A foreign company cannot simply establish a pharmacy chain by renting several shops and hiring pharmacists as managers. The Turkish model is based on individual pharmacist responsibility.
For this reason, any business model involving hidden ownership, nominee pharmacists, profit-sharing arrangements with non-pharmacists or indirect control by investors should be reviewed very carefully. Such arrangements may create risks of sham ownership, administrative sanctions, license problems, professional disciplinary proceedings and contractual disputes.
The “One Pharmacist, One Pharmacy” Rule
One of the central principles of Turkish pharmacy law is the prohibition on multiple pharmacy ownership. Law No. 6197 states that a pharmacist may not open more than one pharmacy or assume responsible management of more than one pharmacy.
This rule has significant practical consequences. A pharmacist cannot legally operate multiple pharmacies under their own name. Likewise, one pharmacist cannot be shown as the responsible manager of several pharmacies. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that the pharmacist personally and effectively supervises the pharmacy.
The “one pharmacist, one pharmacy” principle also prevents corporate chain pharmacy models. It reflects a public health policy choice: pharmacy services should remain under the control of independent pharmacists rather than purely commercial entities. This system aims to prevent excessive commercialization, reduce conflicts of interest and preserve the professional character of pharmacy practice.
For pharmacists planning to grow their business, this limitation must be taken seriously. Expansion by opening multiple pharmacies is generally not available in the Turkish legal framework. Instead, the pharmacist must focus on operating one pharmacy in compliance with legal, professional and administrative requirements.
Population-Based Pharmacy Planning in Turkey
Opening a pharmacy in Turkey also depends on population-based planning. The number of pharmacies that may be opened is not unlimited. Under the current pharmacy planning system, pharmacy openings are regulated according to district population. The Eczacı Yerleştirme Sistemi, known as EYS, is the electronic placement system developed in line with Law No. 6197 and the Regulation on Pharmacists and Pharmacies.
The EYS Guide states that it governs applications made electronically by pharmacists who wish to open or relocate pharmacies. It also states that application periods are announced by the institution and that the application period is generally thirty days from the announcement.
The population rule is especially important. The EYS Guide provides that free pharmacies are regulated according to district population on the basis of at least one pharmacy per 3,500 people. It also provides that a quota may be opened for districts with a population below 3,500 if there is no pharmacy in that district.
Therefore, a pharmacist cannot freely open a pharmacy in any desired district. Even if the pharmacist has the required diploma, financial capacity and suitable premises, the opening may not be possible if there is no available quota. Before signing a lease or purchasing equipment, the pharmacist should check whether the relevant district is open for a new pharmacy under EYS.
EYS Application Process
The EYS application process is one of the most important stages in opening a new pharmacy. EYS is designed to manage pharmacy opening and relocation applications electronically. Pharmacists must follow official announcements, application periods, district quotas, service point calculations and placement procedures.
The EYS Guide states that application periods are determined by TİTCK and announced through the official system. It also explains that district pharmacy quotas are calculated using population data obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute, and that the number of existing, suspended or temporarily closed pharmacies is considered when determining available quotas.
This system creates a competitive and rule-based placement process. In practice, pharmacists should prepare their documents and professional records before the application period begins. Missing information, incorrect electronic entries or failure to follow the announced calendar may result in loss of opportunity.
A pharmacist who is placed through EYS must then complete the pharmacy opening procedure within the legal and administrative time limits. Placement alone does not mean that the pharmacy is automatically licensed. It gives the pharmacist the right to proceed with the opening process for the relevant location, subject to completion of licensing and premises requirements.
Required Documents for a Pharmacy License
Law No. 6197 provides the basic documentation framework for opening a pharmacy. It states that a pharmacist who wishes to open a pharmacy must apply to the relevant health authority and submit documents such as identity documentation, diploma copy, curriculum vitae, criminal record document, health report showing no obstacle to practicing the profession and photographs.
Although modern practice may include electronic submissions and updated administrative requirements, the core principle remains the same: the applicant must prove professional eligibility, legal capacity and suitability to practice pharmacy. The health authority reviews the application file and evaluates whether the legal requirements are satisfied.
The Ministry of Health’s circular on pharmacy licensing states that pharmacy opening, licensing, closure, relocation and name or address change procedures were transferred to governorates and provincial health directorates. It also provides that provincial health directorates examine application files under the applicable law and regulation, and that the license is issued with the approval of the governor’s office.
This administrative structure shows that the provincial health directorate plays a central role in pharmacy licensing. Therefore, applicants must follow not only national legal rules but also the practical document requirements and procedures of the relevant provincial health directorate.
Premises Requirements for Opening a Pharmacy
A pharmacy must operate in premises that satisfy legal and technical standards. Law No. 6197 provides that the physical structure, sections, laboratory characteristics, required equipment and internal services of pharmacies are determined by the health authority.
The Regulation on Pharmacists and Pharmacies further regulates pharmacy features, opening, operation and service standards. Its stated purpose includes determining pharmacy characteristics and the procedures and principles for carrying out pharmacy services.
In practical terms, the premises must be suitable for medicine storage, patient service, professional supervision and inspection. The pharmacist should evaluate the size, layout, accessibility, storage areas, signage, temperature conditions, cold-chain arrangements, security, internal sections and compliance with health authority standards.
A common mistake is signing a lease before confirming whether the premises are suitable for a pharmacy. This creates serious legal and financial risk. If the shop does not meet the required standards or if opening a pharmacy at that location is legally restricted, the pharmacist may be unable to obtain a license despite having entered into a binding lease.
Therefore, premises due diligence is essential. Before signing a lease, paying a deposit or starting renovation, the pharmacist should check the legal suitability of the location, district quota, physical conditions and administrative requirements.
Pharmacy License Issuance
Once the application file is completed and the premises are found suitable, the licensing authority examines the file. The Ministry of Health’s circular explains that before issuing a pharmacy license, the provincial health director’s proposal and the governor’s approval are obtained, and the license is then jointly signed by the health directorate and governorate.
The same circular also states that changes concerning the pharmacist or pharmacy, such as name or address changes, are handled through approval and recorded on the license. It further provides that pharmacies permitted by governorates are notified periodically to the Ministry, and that after the license is issued, the matter is notified to the regional chamber of pharmacists for communication to the Turkish Pharmacists’ Association.
This process demonstrates that pharmacy licensing is an administrative act. If the application is rejected, delayed or disputed, the pharmacist may need to use administrative remedies. Depending on the nature of the problem, legal review may be necessary to determine whether the authority acted lawfully.
Can a Pharmacy Be Transferred or Purchased?
A pharmacy may be transferred or purchased, but the buyer must satisfy the legal conditions for opening a pharmacy. Law No. 6197 states that a person who acquires a pharmacy may receive a license in their own name if they meet the legal requirements for opening a pharmacy. The law also provides that such sales are carried out before the relevant government physician and notary.
This means that pharmacy transfer is not an ordinary commercial sale. The buyer must be a legally eligible pharmacist. A non-pharmacist cannot simply purchase a pharmacy and operate it through another person.
Pharmacy transfer agreements should be drafted carefully. The parties should review the license status, stock inventory, lease agreement, fixtures, SGK-related risks, employee liabilities, tax obligations, existing debts, prescription records, controlled substances, pending inspections and potential administrative sanctions.
Law No. 6197 also requires that transfer or sale transactions involving narcotic substances in the pharmacy be notified to the highest local health authority. This rule is important because medicine stock is not ordinary inventory. Certain products require special control, record-keeping and notification.
Relocation, Closure and Name Change
A pharmacist may wish to relocate, close or change the name of a pharmacy. These actions are also regulated. Law No. 6197 states that a pharmacist who wishes to close, relocate or change the name of a pharmacy must notify the highest local health authority one month in advance.
Relocation is particularly sensitive because it may trigger population quota rules, premises suitability requirements and administrative approval. A pharmacist should not assume that a pharmacy license can be freely moved to another district or even another location within the same district. The legal rules and EYS restrictions must be reviewed before any relocation decision.
Closure also requires proper procedure. The pharmacist should address stock, controlled substances, SGK matters, employee rights, lease termination, tax obligations and notification duties. Improper closure may create administrative and financial problems.
Assistant Pharmacist and Professional Experience Issues
Opening a pharmacy may also involve assistant pharmacist obligations and professional experience requirements. The EYS Guide includes provisions concerning pharmacists subject to assistant pharmacist rules and placement procedures.
In practice, pharmacists who are newly graduated or subject to assistant pharmacist requirements should verify whether they are eligible to open a pharmacy immediately or whether they must first complete professional service obligations. This issue should be assessed before participating in EYS or attempting to acquire a pharmacy.
A pharmacist who ignores these requirements may lose time, incur costs and face rejection during the licensing process. Therefore, professional eligibility should be confirmed at the beginning of the planning stage.
Legal Risks in Opening a Pharmacy in Turkey
The most common legal risks in opening a pharmacy in Turkey include choosing a location without quota availability, signing a lease before confirming premises suitability, relying on informal transfer promises, entering into hidden investor arrangements, failing to complete EYS procedures correctly, submitting incomplete documents, misunderstanding assistant pharmacist obligations and ignoring post-opening compliance duties.
Another significant risk is sham ownership. If a non-pharmacist provides capital and effectively controls the pharmacy while the pharmacist is only formally shown as the owner, this may create serious legal problems. Such arrangements may be considered contrary to the purpose of pharmacy law and may expose the parties to administrative, disciplinary and civil consequences.
Pharmacy investors must also be careful about unrealistic commercial expectations. A pharmacy is a regulated healthcare institution. Its operation is affected by medicine prices, reimbursement rules, prescription volume, location, competition, operating expenses, staffing obligations and inspection risks. Legal compliance must be built into the business plan from the beginning.
Post-Opening Compliance Obligations
Obtaining a pharmacy license is not the end of the legal process. After opening, the pharmacist must operate the pharmacy in compliance with prescription rules, medicine storage standards, record-keeping obligations, inspection requirements, professional ethics, SGK reimbursement procedures and TİTCK-related systems.
Law No. 6197 prohibits dispensing prescription-only medicines without a prescription. It also regulates the preparation of prescriptions and states that the responsible pharmacist is directly liable for errors in medicines prepared in the pharmacy.
The law further requires pharmacies to keep daily prescription records in the form determined by the health authority and to preserve such registers for five years.
These obligations are important because pharmacy records may become evidence in disputes involving patient complaints, prescription errors, SGK deductions, forged prescriptions, controlled medicines or administrative inspections. A pharmacy that is properly licensed but poorly managed may still face serious legal risks.
Practical Checklist for Opening a Pharmacy in Turkey
A pharmacist who wants to open a pharmacy in Turkey should follow a structured legal checklist.
First, the pharmacist should confirm professional eligibility under Law No. 6197. This includes citizenship, diploma, registration and absence of legal obstacles to practicing pharmacy. Second, the pharmacist should determine whether they are subject to assistant pharmacist or experience-related requirements. Third, the pharmacist should monitor EYS announcements and check available district quotas.
Fourth, the pharmacist should evaluate the desired location carefully. Population quota, premises suitability, lease conditions, renovation needs and administrative restrictions must be reviewed before signing binding agreements. Fifth, the pharmacist should prepare the required application documents and submit the file through the proper administrative channels.
Sixth, the pharmacist should obtain the necessary approvals from the provincial health directorate and governorate. Seventh, after licensing, the pharmacist should register and organize all operational compliance systems, including prescription records, stock control, SGK procedures, personnel training and inspection readiness.
Conclusion
Opening a pharmacy in Turkey is a strictly regulated legal process. It requires professional qualification, compliance with the one-pharmacist-one-pharmacy rule, population-based placement through EYS, proper premises selection, administrative licensing by health authorities and continuous post-opening compliance.
The most important point is that a pharmacy is not an ordinary business. It is a licensed healthcare institution operated under the responsibility of a pharmacist. Therefore, legal planning must begin before commercial planning. A pharmacist should not sign a lease, purchase a pharmacy, renovate premises or enter into investment arrangements before confirming legal eligibility, district quota, premises suitability and licensing conditions.
For foreign investors, non-pharmacist entrepreneurs and companies, the Turkish model may be significantly different from other jurisdictions. Pharmacy ownership is not freely commercialized, and hidden ownership models may create serious legal risks.
For pharmacists, the safest approach is to combine legal due diligence, administrative preparation and operational compliance. By following Law No. 6197, the Regulation on Pharmacists and Pharmacies, EYS procedures and provincial health directorate requirements, a pharmacist can open and operate a pharmacy in Turkey within a legally secure framework.
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