The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, has sealed a total of 443 drug outlets in Taraba State over multiple regulatory violations, in a sweeping enforcement exercise aimed at sanitising the pharmaceutical landscape and protecting public health.
The council’s Head of Enforcement, Mr. Sulaiman Chiroma, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing held in Jalingo, the state capital.
Chiroma revealed that the affected premises included 43 full-service pharmacies and 395 patent and proprietary medicine vendor shops, commonly referred to as patent medicine stores.
The enforcement operation, which covered 11 Local Government Areas across the state, involved the inspection of 656 premises.
The PCN enforcement team found widespread breaches of pharmaceutical regulations, including illegal operations without appropriate licensure, expired or non-renewed registration certificates, and engagement in clinical services by unqualified personnel.
Chiroma highlighted some of the critical offences observed during the inspection. These included the stocking and sale of controlled medicines by unlicensed operators, the dispensing of drugs beyond the approved list for patent vendors, the absence of qualified pharmacists on site, and the employment of inadequately trained or untrained personnel to manage drug outlets.
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He warned residents of the dangers associated with procuring drugs from unauthorized sources, emphasizing that patronizing unregistered or unqualified vendors could result in dire health consequences, including wrong medication, drug resistance, and even death in severe cases.
“We urge the public to be vigilant and ensure they are purchasing their medicines from duly licensed and inspected premises,” Chiroma stated.
“A legitimate pharmacy is required by law to prominently display its current PCN license. If you do not see this, you should walk away and report the outlet to the PCN office.”
The crackdown is part of PCN’s broader mandate to ensure that Nigerians have access to safe, effective, and quality pharmaceutical services.
The council reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on quackery and unethical conduct in the distribution and sale of medicines.
Also speaking at the briefing, Mr. Aodoaseer Gwar from the PCN Northeast Zonal Office in Bauchi reaffirmed the council’s commitment to eradicating all forms of malpractice in the pharmacy sector.
He stressed that registered pharmacies are duty-bound to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards and must not compromise public health for profit.
According to him, the enforcement drive will continue in phases across other states in the Northeast and beyond, targeting defaulters who operate outside the law or breach the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act.
Gwar called on state governments, community leaders, and the general public to support the council’s efforts by reporting suspicious or illegal drug activities to the nearest PCN office.
The PCN is the federal regulatory agency charged with controlling pharmacy education, training, and practice across Nigeria.
It continues to play a crucial role in ensuring that pharmaceutical care is delivered in a safe, regulated, and professional environment.
NAN
