The murder of pharmacist Mounir Naceri in Constantine has reignited concerns regarding the safety of pharmacists in the exercise of their profession. This tragedy, which provoked widespread emotion within the community, highlights the violence faced by these healthcare professionals, who stand on the front lines of patient care and public support.
In response to this crime, the National Syndicate of Community Pharmacists (SNAPO) and the Association of Algerian Pharmaceutical Distributors (ADPHA) expressed outrage and firmly denounced the act. Through two separate press releases, both organizations additionally demanded the prompt reinforcement of protective measures for pharmacists and their staff.
For both organizations, this murder represents a tragedy that leaves a family grieving and deeply affects the entire pharmaceutical sector. Beyond extending condolences to the victim’s relatives, their statements reflect growing anxiety over threats to the safety and physical well-being of professionals in the field.
Beyond condemning this killing, SNAPO and ADPHA emphasize the necessity of guaranteeing a secure working environment for pharmacists. These individuals provide daily community care characterized by continuous public interaction and occasionally challenging operating conditions.
SNAPO considers the protection of pharmacies and their personnel a top priority, requiring immediate action from public authorities. The union specifically calls for strengthened security arrangements to safeguard the physical integrity of pharmacists and enable them to carry out their duties in a secure climate.
This demand is similarly backed by ADPHA, which advocates for superior protection for healthcare workers facing violent acts while performing their duties.
In its official release, SNAPO also renewed its call to expedite the launch of the digital platform designed to track and manage psychotropic drug prescriptions.
Framed under the provisions of Article 5 bis-8 of Law No. 23-05, this platform still requires, according to the union, the finalization of regulatory and technical protocols necessary for its operational activation.
Its implementation is expected to enhance prescription tracking and oversight, combat forgery, and better regulate the distribution of psychotropic substances. It would further serve to shield pharmacists from pressures, threats, and illegal attempts to obtain restricted medication.
Additionally, SNAPO expressed confidence in the Algerian judicial system to fully clarify the circumstances surrounding Mounir Naceri’s murder, identify the culprits, and apply the law.
The tragedy in Constantine occurs against a backdrop of several incidents targeting pharmacists and dispensaries across the nation. In September 2026, a pharmacist was assaulted in Boudouaou, within Boumerdes province, while his pharmacy fell victim to a robbery in the town center.
Other cases have impacted the profession. In July 2024, a pharmacy in Bab Ezzouar was targeted by individuals wielding bladed weapons, resulting in injuries to employees. In January 2025, SNAPO had already raised alarms regarding assaults against pharmacists in multiple provinces, notably tied to coercions aimed at securing psychotropic drugs without prescriptions.
In August 2026, a female pharmacist practicing in Barika was likewise victimized in an assault condemned by the National Board of the Order of Pharmacists.
The recurrence of these events underscores the vulnerability of workers who fulfill a vital role in healthcare access. For numerous citizens, the neighborhood pharmacy serves as the primary medical point of contact. Listening, guidance, and availability remain core aspects of their mandate, yet these cannot be sustained within a climate of apprehension and risk.
The Constantine tragedy brings back into focus the urgent need to transition from verbal condemnations to tangible safeguards. Fortifying pharmacy security, preventing assault, and rolling out digital tracking tools represent key priorities voiced by professional associations. Beyond safeguarding pharmacists, the objective remains maintaining the continuity of essential community healthcare operations for citizens.