By Hussein Olanrewaju
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 1,115 patent medicine shops and 294 pharmacies from April to September 2024.
As the federal agency overseeing pharmacy practice in Nigeria, the PCN, established by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act 2022, regulates all aspects of pharmacy education, training, and practice, including Pharmacy Technicians and Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors.
The document detailed enforcement activities carried out by the council in Gombe, Plateau, Jigawa, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bauchi, Cross River, and Kaduna between April 20 and September 13, 2024.
Here’s a breakdown of the council’s enforcement activities:
- Gombe State (April 20-26): 1,001 premises inspected (71 pharmacies, 346 PMS, 584 illegal premises); 751 premises sealed (39 pharmacies, 128 PMS, 581 illegal premises); 1 person arrested.
- Plateau State (May 12-17): 780 premises inspected (197 pharmacies, 273 PMS, 310 illegal premises); 510 premises sealed (80 pharmacies, 120 PMS, 310 illegal premises); 2 persons arrested.
- Jigawa State (May 27-31): 477 premises inspected (19 pharmacies, 178 PMS, 280 illegal premises); 375 premises sealed (8 pharmacies, 87 PMS, 280 illegal premises); 2 persons arrested.
- FCT (June 24-28): 994 premises inspected (255 pharmacies, 384 PMS, 355 illegal premises); 556 premises sealed (52 pharmacies, 149 PMS, 355 illegal premises).
- Bauchi State (July 22-26): 762 premises inspected (88 pharmacies, 284 PMS, 390 illegal premises); 571 premises sealed (37 pharmacies, 144 PMS, 391 illegal premises).
- Cross River State (August 19-23): 500 premises inspected (84 pharmacies, 216 PMS, 200 illegal premises); 405 premises sealed (31 pharmacies, 174 PMS, 200 illegal premises); 5 persons arrested.
- Kaduna State (September 7-13): 895 premises inspected (75 pharmacies, 514 PMS, 306 illegal premises); 666 premises sealed (47 pharmacies, 313 PMS, 306 illegal premises).
In total, the PCN visited 5,409 premises, comprising 789 pharmacies, 2,195 PMS, and 2,425 illegal premises. The council sealed 3,834 premises, including 294 pharmacies, 1,115 PMS, and 2,425 illegal premises, and arrested 10 persons.
Commenting on the enforcement activities, the Registrar, Babashehu Ahmed, stated, “The council is committed to upholding excellence in the profession and ensuring the highest standards of practice.”
