Drug License Requirements: Minimum Store Area You Should Know

 Starting a medical store seems like a simple business idea, right? Find a shop, get a license, stock some medicines, and you're good to go. Well… not exactly.

There are some rules you must follow — especially when it comes to the size of your shop. And this is where most first-time pharmacy owners mess up.

Retail Medical Store: What’s the Minimum Area Required?

Let’s start with retail.

If you’re planning to open a retail medical store, the law requires a minimum area of 10 square meters. Now, I know — most of us don’t think in square meters. So here’s the quick math:

10 sq meters = around 108 square feet

Not a huge space, right? But still enough to:

• Keep your counters and shelves
  
  

• Set up a small refrigerator (for insulin, vaccines, etc.)
  
  

• Maintain basic hygiene and airflow
  
  

This is the minimum area required for retail medical store in sq ft — but remember, minimum doesn’t mean ideal. If you can afford a bit more space, go for it. It’ll help with customer movement and inventory management.

What About Wholesale Drug Stores?

Now, if you want to sell to other pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics — not just walk-in customers — you’ll need a wholesale license.

And for that, the government has set a different area requirement.

Minimum area required for wholesale drug store = 15 square meters
Which is about 161 square feet

This applies if:

• You're dealing in bulk quantities
  
  

• You want to combine retail + wholesale
  
  

• Or you're applying for an area required for wholesale drug license
  
  

In short: Retail = 108 sq ft, Wholesale = 161 sq ft. Clear?

What If You Want Both – Retail + Wholesale?

Yup, many people go for a combined license to expand their business. The rule stays the same as wholesale:

You need at least 15 sq meters (or 161+ sq ft) for both licenses under one roof.

Makes sense, right? More stock, more customers, more space.

Real-World Tip: Don't Cut Corners on Area

Here’s the thing.

When I was helping a friend set up his store in Jaipur, he thought — “Why rent a bigger space when I can save money and squeeze everything in 80 sq ft?”

Result?
Application rejected.
Reason: Non-compliance with minimum area norms.

So yeah, even if your locality is small-town or semi-rural, the rules apply everywhere. No shortcuts here.

📋 Let’s Summarize It Quickly:

Type of Store	Minimum Area (sq meters)	Minimum Area (sq ft)
Retail Medical Store	10 sq meters	~108 sq ft
Wholesale Drug Store	15 sq meters	~161 sq ft
Retail + Wholesale Store	15 sq meters	~161 sq ft

Other Things to Keep in Mind (Besides Space)

Area is just the beginning. You also need:

• A refrigerator (for temperature-sensitive drugs)
  
  

• Storage racks for Schedule H medicines
  
  

• Good ventilation
  
  

• A registered pharmacist (for retail)
  
  

• And yes — a valid drug license from your state authority
  
  

Final Thoughts: Space is Not Just a Rule, It's an Investment

Look, following the minimum area required for retail drug store isn't just about ticking a box. It's about creating a space that:

• Keeps your medicines safe
  
  

• Keeps your customers comfortable
  
  

• And keeps your business legally compliant
  
  

So whether you're setting up in Delhi, Patna, or a small town in Maharashtra — don’t think of the space requirement as a burden. Think of it as your foundation.

Planning to apply for a license soon?
Make sure you’ve got at least:

• 108 sq ft for retail, or
  
  

• 161 sq ft for wholesale or combined operations
  
  

Trust me, it’ll save you a lot of back and forth with the drug inspector.

🔗 For more information visit : https://www.psrcompliance.com/blog/total-area-needed-for-a-retail-wholesale-drug-store