What is the ruling on dealing with pharmaceutical companies that place their products in pharmacies, such that if sold, the pharmacist pays their value, and if not, he returns them? Is it permissible to store medicines for the purpose of their price increasing, or is this considered hoarding? What is the ruling on purchasing medicines for a customer from other pharmacies when they are unavailable?

Firstly: Regarding the goods placed by distributors in the pharmacy, for which payment is made upon sale or the goods are returned, this situation has two possibilities: 1. Agency for a fee: The goods are considered a trust, and you sell them on behalf of their owner, receiving a known fee. The liability rests with the company unless there is misconduct or negligence on your part. 2. Sale on consignment (بيع التصريف): This involves the transfer of ownership of the goods to you, with a condition allowing the contract to be annulled if the goods are not sold. This type of transaction is invalid.

Secondly: As for storing goods in anticipation of a price increase, if this storage leads to harming people and their need for medicine or other goods, compelling them to pay a higher price or preventing them from finding the product, then this is prohibited hoarding, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "No one hoards but a wrongdoer."

Thirdly: Regarding purchasing goods from a neighbor and selling them to a customer: 1. Promise to sell: There is no harm if the sale only takes place after the goods are acquired from the neighbor. 2. Agency in purchasing: There is no harm if you inform the customer that you do not have the item and request it for them from your neighbor. You are permitted to receive a known fee. 3. Sale contract before possessing the goods: If the contract is concluded before possessing the goods, and then you acquire them and deliver them to the buyer, this transaction is invalid due to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) prohibition: "Do not sell what you do not possess."