The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has intensified its crackdown on illegal drug outlets, sealing 4,415 premises across the country between January and November 2024.
This includes 329 pharmacies, 1,140 medicine vendors, and 2,646 illegal shops, as part of efforts to regulate the pharmaceutical sector and curb the circulation of unregistered and substandard drugs.
Data obtained from the council also revealed that 6,225 premises were inspected during the enforcement operations.
These included 887 pharmacies, 2,692 Patent and Proprietary Medicine vendors and 2,646 illegal shops.
A total of 10 arrests were made during the raids for gross violations of PCN guidelines, with offenders apprehended in Cross River, Plateau, Jigawa, and Gombe states.
The council issued 55 compliance directives to erring premises and vowed to sustain its enforcement activities to uphold public health standards.
A further breakdown of the data showed that 1,001 premises were visited in Gombe State with 39 pharmacies, 128 PMS and 584 illegal buildings sealed, while one person was arrested.
The PCN officials visited 780 premises in Plateau State, sealed 80 pharmacies, 120 PMS, and 310 illegal buildings, with an arrest of two persons
A total of 477 premises were visited in Jigawa State, leading to the sealing of eight pharmacies, 87 PMS and 280 illegal premises. Two persons were also arrested.
In the Federal Capital Territory, 994 premises were visited, with 52 pharmacies, 149 PMS, and 355 illegal premises sealed.
During his visitation in Bauchi State, 762 premises were visited and 37 pharmacies, 144 PMS, as well as 390 illegal premises were sealed.
In Cross River State, 500 premises were visited, but 31 pharmacies, 174 PMS, 200 illegal premises were sealed with five persons arrested.
The PCN visited 895 premises in Kaduna State, sealing 47 pharmacies, 313 PMS, and 306 illegal premises.
In Adamawa state, 816 premises were visited, while 35 pharmacies, 325 PMS, and 221 illegal premises were sealed.”
The Registrar of the PCN has reiterated the council’s determination to sanitize the pharmaceutical landscape in Nigeria by ensuring only licensed and qualified operators are allowed to engage in the sale of medicines.
The crackdown is aimed at addressing the proliferation of unregistered premises, which often stock substandard or counterfeit drugs that pose a serious threat to public health.
