2 months ago
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Pharmacy Council of Nigeria,
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has shut 666 illegal medicine shops in Kaduna State for operating without proper registration and failing to adhere to the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.
The enforcement action, which targeted open drug markets and unregistered medicine shops, aimed to safeguard public health by ensuring the proper distribution and storage of medicines.
PCN’s Director of Enforcement, Stephen Esumobi, disclosed that the exercise, which took place earlier in the week, led to the sealing of 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal medicine shops.
A total of 895 premises were visited, with nine compliance directives issued to offending shop owners.
The closed shops were penalised for violations such as selling medicines in open markets, operating without PCN registration, poor documentation, inadequate storage conditions, and stocking of unethical products without pharmacist supervision.
Esumobi emphasised the risks posed by these illegal operations, particularly regarding the storage of medicines.
“The implication of this is that most of the medicines sold in these locations may no longer be fit for human consumption due to degradation of the active ingredients,” he said.
He also reiterated PCN’s commitment to enforcing drug distribution guidelines and preventing the sale of harmful substances.
“The PCN will not tolerate the sale of medicines in open drug markets and other unregistered locations,” Esumobi said while adding “We will continue to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines to protect public health and prevent the sale of harmful substances.”
Esumobi further assured that the PCN would support the owners of the sealed shops if they complied with regulations.
The council had previously communicated with medicine dealers in Zaria and Kaduna about relocating to registered locations or coordinated wholesale centres.
The enforcement exercise underscores PCN’s dedication to upholding the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines across Nigeria.
