The Pharmacy Council of Pakistan (PCP) has stopped 14 universities and colleges from taking new Pharm-D admissions. The council has also issued show-cause notices to 29 more institutions, which means a total of 43 pharmacy institutions are now facing action. The decision, reported on 22 October 2026, has raised serious questions about the quality of pharmacy education in Pakistan.
For students planning to apply for Pharm-D this year, and for teachers working in pharmacy colleges, this news is important. Here is a complete breakdown of what the PCP has done and what it means.
Pharm-D Admissions Ban: Key Numbers
| Action | Number | Province-wise |
|---|---|---|
| Barred from Pharm-D admissions | 14 | Punjab 6, Islamabad 7, KP 1 |
| Show-cause notices | 29 | Punjab 22, KP 4, Sindh 3 |
| Total institutions facing action | 43 | – |
Which Institutions Are Barred from Pharm-D Admissions?
The full list has not appeared in media reports yet, but some names have been confirmed. Institutions stopped from Pharm-D admissions include:
- University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore
- Iqra University, Islamabad Campus
- Abasyn University
The remaining 11 names have not been reported yet. Students should check the official PCP website before applying anywhere.
Institutions Issued Show-Cause Notices
Among the 29 institutions served with show-cause notices, the following have been named:
- University of Sindh
- Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Dewan University, Karachi
- Bharghari Institute of Pharmacy, Matli (District Badin)
- Bahauddin Zakariya University
- Nishtar Medical University
These institutions have been given a chance to explain and fix the problems pointed out by the council.
Why the PCP Took Action
The council found different shortcomings at different institutions. In Sindh, for example:
- University of Sindh: The pharmacy building was also being used by the Department of Eastern Medicine and Surgery.
- Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Dewan University: Labs were too small, other programmes were running in the Pharm-D building, and there was no computer lab or pharmacy library.
- Bharghari Institute of Pharmacy: The PCP showed a lack of confidence in the faculty and directed the institute to appoint qualified teachers without delay.
These points show that the council is checking infrastructure as well as faculty quality before allowing Pharm-D admissions.
What This Means for Students
If you are planning to apply for Pharm-D this session, take these steps:
- Check whether your chosen university is allowed to admit students this year.
- Confirm the institution’s status on the official Pharmacy Council of Pakistan website.
- Avoid paying admission fees to institutions on the barred list.
- Current students in barred institutions should not panic; a ban on new admissions usually does not cancel the degrees of enrolled students, but they should follow updates from their university.
What It Means for Pharmacy Teachers
The PCP’s focus on qualified faculty is good news for pharmacy graduates with MPhil and PhD degrees. Institutions that want to restore their admissions will need to hire more qualified lecturers and improve labs. This could create new pharmacy lecturer jobs in the coming months, especially in Punjab and Sindh.
Quality Over Quantity
Pakistan has seen rapid growth in pharmacy institutions in recent years. Experts have long argued that some colleges opened without proper labs, libraries or full-time faculty. The latest Pharm-D admissions ban shows that the regulator is now taking a stricter line.
How Students Can Protect Their Future
Students should treat the PCP’s list as the final word before choosing a university. If an institution is barred, any admission it offers this session may not be recognised by the council, which could create problems at the time of registration as a pharmacist. Parents should ask admission offices directly whether they are allowed to admit students this year and request written proof of PCP approval.
Students already enrolled in affected institutions should keep their fee receipts, enrolment documents and result cards safe. Student councils and parents can also ask the university to share the steps it is taking to remove the shortcomings pointed out by the council, so that future Pharm-D admissions can resume.
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FAQs
How many institutions are barred from Pharm-D admissions?
The Pharmacy Council of Pakistan has barred 14 universities and colleges from new Pharm-D admissions.
How many institutions received show-cause notices?
29 institutions received show-cause notices, taking the total facing action to 43.
Is UHS Lahore on the list?
Yes. University of Health Sciences, Lahore is among the institutions barred from Pharm-D admissions.
Where can I check the official list?
Students should check the official Pharmacy Council of Pakistan website for the latest status.