The Ministry of Health in Oman has announced a major policy shift requiring all pharmacies in malls and hospital facilities to be staffed exclusively by Omani nationals, a move seen as a significant step in expanding local employment in the pharmaceutical sector.
In Circular 167/2025, the ministry confirmed it will no longer renew the contracts of non-Omani pharmacists and their assistants, effectively opening doors for unemployed Omani graduates to take over these roles.
For years, expatriates have dominated the private pharmaceutical field in Oman. Now, many locals see this directive as a long-awaited opportunity to launch careers and gain financial independence.
“This move gives Omanis a real chance to join the pharmaceutical workforce and become financially independent, instead of relying on their families,” said recruitment expert Ahmed Al Wadahi in an interview with Gulf News. He added, “Oman is making solid progress in replacing expat workers in key private sector roles.”
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the pharmacy workforce in Oman has grown substantially in the past two decades. Between 2005 and 2018, the number of pharmacists more than tripled, reaching 2,692 pharmacists and 1,998 assistant pharmacists by 2018.
The Omanisation programme, first launched in 1988, aims to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign workers by gradually filling jobs with qualified Omani citizens. While many government and oil sector jobs have already achieved high Omanisation rates, other industries like construction still rely heavily on expat labor.
