The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has taken regulatory action against three pharmacy businesses after they were found operating without a registered pharmacist present during opening hours, breaching the conditions of their pharmacy authorisations.

The findings came from FCCC’s nationwide 2025–26 Pharmacy Audit, which inspected 70 pharmacies across Fiji.

While the majority of businesses complied with the required standards, three pharmacies were found to have failed to meet the mandatory requirement for a registered pharmacist to be on-site whenever the pharmacy is operating.

FCCC has issued formal warning letters to the businesses involved and cautioned that continued breaches could lead to further action, including the possible cancellation of their pharmacy business authorisations under the Pharmacy Profession Act 2011.

The Commission stressed that having a registered pharmacist available is not simply a regulatory requirement but a key safeguard for consumers.

Pharmacists play an important role in ensuring medicines are dispensed correctly, checking dosages and providing professional advice to patients.

FCCC warned that pharmacies operating without qualified pharmaceutical supervision could put consumers at risk and reminded all pharmacy operators that compliance with authorisation conditions is compulsory.

The audit also showed that 67 out of the 70 pharmacies inspected were fully compliant, with FCCC recognising these businesses and their pharmacists for maintaining professional standards.

The Commission said action against non-compliant operators helps protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for businesses that continue to meet patient safety requirements.