The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has taken decisive action against illegal medicine operations in Kaduna State, sealing off 666 medicine shops for allegedly violating national drug distribution regulations.
Stephen Esumobi, the PCN’s Director of Enforcement, announced this development during a press conference on Thursday, following an enforcement operation that commenced earlier in the week. He revealed that a total of 895 premises were inspected during the exercise, which included 75 pharmacies, 514 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal establishments.
Esumobi explained, “Out of the total premises visited, we sealed 666 locations, comprising 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine shops, and 306 unregistered shops.” He highlighted that these closures were necessitated by serious violations, including the sale of medicines in open drug markets, operating without proper registration with the council, inadequate documentation, poor storage conditions, and stocking ethical products without the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
The director emphasized the public health risks posed by these illegal operations, stating, “The substandard storage conditions mean that many of the medicines sold in these shops may no longer be safe for human consumption due to the degradation of their active ingredients.”
Esumobi reaffirmed the PCN’s commitment to upholding the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, saying, “We will not tolerate the sale of medicines in unregulated markets. Our enforcement efforts are aimed at protecting public health and preventing the distribution of harmful substances.”
He also offered support for the owners of the sealed shops who are willing to comply with the necessary regulations, but warned that penalties will be enforced against those who continue to operate unlawfully. The PCN remains steadfast in its mission to ensure the safety and efficacy of medications available to the public.
