No fewer than 536 pharmacies and medicine stores have been sealed in Sokoto State by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria for a series of offences such as unethical conducts and possession of expired licenses.

The news was confirmed by the Registrar of the council, Dr. Elijah Muhammad, on Friday while briefing newsmen.
Muhammad stated that the clampdown of the pharmaceutical premises located in 10 local government areas was effected during the PCN enforcement across the state.

Represented by PCN Director of Enforcement, Stephen Esumobi, the registrar disclosed that the exercise was carried out in Sokoto South, Sokoto North, Wamakko, Kware, Binji, Bodinga, Shagari, Yabo, Tambuwal, Kebbe, Tureta and Dange Shuni LGAs.
The registrar announced that 536 premises comprising 90 pharmacies and 446 patent medicine shops were visited when his team was in Sokoto for one week.

Muhammad explained that 37 of the sealed premises were pharmacies while the rest were patent medicine shops.

According to him, the premises were sealed for offences such as poor storage and sanitary conditions, failure to renew their licenses, and dispensing products without the supervision of a pharmacist, amongst others.
He added that two persons were arrested during the enforcement exercise.

Muhammad said that six other pharmacies and medicine shops were issued with compliance directives.

“The aim of the exercise was to ensure that all premises where medicines were sold met the conditions with respect to location, storage facilities, environment, documentation, and personnel as well as being duly registered.

“We advise the general public to buy their medicines and simple household remedies from licensed pharmacies and patent medicine stores,’’ he counseled.

He said that the body had a mutual working relationship with the law enforcement agencies and synergy with other regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC and NDLEA.

(NAN)