Council of State Halts Ministry Directive Barring Pharmacists from Wearing White Coats

In a significant victory for the nation's pharmacists, the Council of State (Danıştay) has halted the Ministry of Health's directive that barred them from wearing their traditional white coats. The Ministry's Corporate Identity Guide, issued in October 2025, had controversially omitted pharmacists from the list of professions permitted to wear the white coat, a symbol deeply ingrained in the Turkish healthcare landscape.

Eczacı-Sen, the Pharmacists' Union, immediately challenged this decision, filing a lawsuit on October 13, 2025, arguing that the guide was unacceptable and contrary to existing regulations. The union's president, Ecz. Orhan Çoban, passionately defended the white coat, calling it "a professional symbol, a symbol of trust and distinction in the field of health, and a professional complement." He highlighted that the Ministry's guide disregarded a centuries-old tradition and conflicted with the "Inpatient Treatment Institutions Regulation."

“

Eczacılar için beyaz önlük, mesleki bir simge, güven ve sağlık alanında ayırt edici bir sembol, mesleki bir tamamlayandır.

The Danıştay's decision to issue a stay of execution is a crucial interim win for pharmacists. Union lawyer Uğur Kumcu stated that this ruling validates their claim and halts an unjust and unlawful application. He expressed confidence that the case will ultimately be decided in their favor, affirming the white coat as an "inalienable and unchangeable right" for pharmacists.

From our perspective at Cumhuriyet, this ruling is more than just about attire; it's about respecting the professional identity and public trust associated with the pharmacy profession in Turkey. The white coat is not merely a uniform; it represents years of education, dedication, and the critical role pharmacists play in public health. While international coverage might view this as a minor administrative dispute, for us, it is a matter of professional dignity and the preservation of a valued symbol within our healthcare system. We will continue to follow this case closely as it proceeds to a full hearing.

“

Bu karar ile davamızda haklı olduğumuz ortaya çıkmıştır. Yürütmenin durdurulması yerinde bir karardır ve haksız ve hukuksuz bir uygulamanın uygulanması sonlandırılmıştır. Gelecek günlerde davamızı esastan incelenmesi neticesinde kazanacak ve eczacıların beyaz önlük hakkının vazgeçilmez ve değiştirilemez olduğunu ortaya koyacağız.