The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, has cracked down on illegal medicine sales in Kaduna State, sealing 666 unregistered and improperly managed medicine shops.
This enforcement action, which began earlier this week, targeted open drug markets and other unauthorized locations across the state. The operation aimed to safeguard public health by addressing violations of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, including the sale of medicines without proper registration and supervision.
Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, Director of Enforcement at PCN, reported that a total of 895 premises were inspected, resulting in 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal outlets being shut down.
Esumobi highlighted that the sealed shops were found to have issues such as poor documentation, inadequate storage conditions, and the sale of ethical products without a licensed pharmacist overseeing operations. Many of these shops operated in open drug markets, posing significant risks to public health due to the potential degradation of medicines.
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“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. The PCN will not tolerate the sale of medicines in open drug markets and other unregistered locations. We will continue to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines to protect public health and prevent the sale of harmful substances,” he said.
The PCN stressed that it will continue to enforce regulations strictly to prevent the sale of harmful substances and protect consumer safety. Those affected by the shutdown are encouraged to comply with the guidelines to resume legal operations.
“The PC office in Kaduna will render all necessary assistance to owners of sealed shops who are willing to comply with regulations,” he added.
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria is an agency of the federal government of Nigeria, established in 1992 to regulate and control the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria. Its responsibility is to oversee the practice of pharmacy across the country, as well as supervise pharmaceutical education in Nigeria.
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