Yes. The law does not prohibit the owner of a pharmacy (that is, a company director or shareholder) from also serving as the pharmacy’s resident registered pharmacist, provided that person is themselves a qualified registered pharmacist in Hong Kong. In fact, this is very common in Hong Kong, where many community pharmacies are established and operated by pharmacists themselves. This ‘pharmacist-owner’ model may even be considered ideal, as it ensures that the pharmacy’s highest decision-maker has the most relevant pharmaceutical knowledge and a strong compliance mindset. In this situation, the pharmacist holds two roles: as a company director, they are responsible for the company’s overall operations and finances; as the pharmacist-in-charge of sales, they personally supervise the pharmacy’s medicines management and sales activities.
HONG KONG DRUG LICENSING
When applying for a pharmacy licence, can the shop's legal representative (company director) and the pharmacist on the premises be the same person?
A complete explanation of the regulatory basis, Drew Tang’s recommendations and risk alerts. The original material dates from 2025; read it alongside the latest official requirements.
Original guide, 2025 edition: These FAQs are provided for topic-based reference and have not all been individually checked against current rules. Please confirm fees, personnel, renewal, changes and product requirements against the professional in-depth guide for the relevant licence type and the official requirements in force at the time.
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