The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) on Friday announced the shutting down of 471 pharmaceutical premises in Edo State for alleged breach of operational practices.
The council’s head of enforcement, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, said while briefing journalists in Benin City that the clamp down affected a total of 743 premises comprising 196 pharmacies and 547 patent medicine stores during the recent week-long exercise in the state.
He said the exercise targeted illegal and substandard operations within the pharmaceutical sector and was part of PCN’s ongoing efforts to sanitise medicine distribution and ensure public health and safety.
He said the raid was carried out in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia North-East, Egor and Uhunmwonde local government areas.
Chiroma said the 743 premises sealed off for various offences including operating without valid licenses, non-compliance with registration renewal, unauthorised clinical activities and the mishandling of controlled substances.
Among the sealed premises were 77 pharmacies, 174 patent medicine stores, and 220 unlicensed shops.
He added that four other premises were issued compliance directives, mandating them to correct specific infractions identified during inspections.
Besides, he said one person also arrested for obstructing PCN officers during the enforcement operation.
Chiroma added that the PCN enforcement action was carried out in line with its statutory mandate under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act No. 31 of 2022, which empowers the Council to regulate and control pharmacy education, training, and practice in all its forms across Nigeria.
“This targeted approach underscores the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of pharmaceutical practice and protecting public health.
“Given the potential hazards associated with medicinal products, stringent regulation is essential. To ensure public safety, it is imperative that personnel handling medicines receives comprehensive training to handle medicines safely and effectively,” he said.
