486 pharmacy locations in Nigeria have been closed by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) for various regulatory violations, including using unqualified personnel, operating without licenses, and selling controlled drugs without authorization.
Suleiman Ciroma, the head of enforcement at the PCN headquarters, made the disclosure while giving a press briefing at the end of a week-long enforcement exercise in Minna.
He claims that there are 290 unlicensed outlets, 127 patent medicine stores, and 69 pharmacies in the affected areas. He disclosed that one person had been detained and faces charges for allegedly obstructing PCN inspectors while performing their duties.
According to Ciroma, “672 premises, including 136 pharmacies and 536 patent pharmacies, were inspected across nine local government areas,” including Agaie, Bida, Tafa, Chanchaga, Lapai, Paikoro, Bosso, Suleja, and Gurara.
He explained that the operation’s strategic focus was on evaluating workplace, employee, and pharmaceutical practices to ensure that basic standards for safe and high-quality service delivery are followed.
The enforcement team found numerous breaches, including illegal apprentice training, operating in unlicensed facilities, and not adhering to regulatory regulations.
Ciroma urged the public to always check their licenses as a sign of caution against quackery by pointing out that licensed pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) can be identified from the visible display of their legitimate licenses.
He continued, noting that the nationwide enforcement exercise is intended to sanitize the pharmaceutical industry, safeguard public health, and stop the production of substandard and fake medical products.
Source: Channels TV
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