The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has shut down 571 illegal medicine shops, and pharmacies across Bauchi State due to various violations of laws and regulations.

The affected local government areas include Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa, Darazo, Ganjuwa, Alkaleri, Dambam, Kirfi, Ningi, Toro, and Dass.

Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, Director and Head of Enforcement at the PCN national headquarters, announced the crackdown at a press conference on Thursday. He said that illegal medicine dealers were found selling large quantities of abused substances, worsening social and security issues in Bauchi.

Esumobi noted, “Some patent medicine stores in Bauchi were found stocking large quantities of used needles and syringes, suspected to be reused or sold to other dealers in rural areas.”

The PCN’s enforcement exercise revealed that many of the sealed premises had poor storage facilities, did not renew their registration, and had other violations. Specific issues included operating without proper registration and renewal of premises certificates, poor documentation, stocking medicines not approved on the drug list, carrying out unauthorized clinical services, wholesalers engaging in retail sales, and pharmacies operating without a superintendent pharmacist.

Esumobi detailed the breakdown of the operation, noting that 37 pharmacies, 144 patent medicine shops, and 390 illegal medicine shops were affected.

He explained, “In 2022, we visited Bauchi State, and some medicine outlets were sealed for breaching our laws. We took corrective steps and guided owners to comply with regulations.”

Esumobi stressed the importance of proper storage for medicines, noting, “For medicines to be effective, they must remain safe and of good quality throughout their shelf life. Poor storage can cause product instability and degradation, leading to treatment failures and avoidable deaths.”

Out of 762 premises visited, the PCN found violations in 88 pharmacies, 284 patent medicine shops, and 390 illegal premises.

Pharm. Esumobi advised the public to purchase medicines only from registered and licensed pharmacies and patent medicine shops. “Drugs sold in unregistered outlets cannot be guaranteed to be safe for consumption,” he warned.

The PCN will continue to monitor pharmaceutical premises in Bauchi to ensure compliance with regulations.

Esumobi concluded, “The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria is responsible for regulating and controlling the practice of pharmacy in line with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022.”