The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has closed 666 unregistered medicine shops across Kaduna State.
This action was taken due to violations of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, which are crucial for ensuring the safe and effective distribution of medicines.
The enforcement operation, which began earlier this week, targeted open drug markets and other locations where medicines were sold without proper registration and oversight.
Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, the PCN Director of Enforcement, briefed newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday about the initiative's objectives. "Our goal is to ensure the safe and effective distribution of medicines, safeguard public health, and prevent the sale of harmful substances within the state," Esumobi stated.
The crackdown involved a total of 895 premises, including 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal medicine shops.
During the enforcement, nine compliance directives were issued to owners of establishments found to be operating unlawfully. "At the end of the enforcement exercise, a total of eight hundred and ninety-five (895) premises were visited, comprising seventy-five (75) pharmacies, five hundred and fourteen (514) patent medicine shops, and three hundred and six (306) illegal premises," Esumobi explained.
He further elaborated on the risks posed by unregistered medicine shops, particularly those operating in open markets. "Unregistered medicine shops in open markets pose significant risks to public health due to substandard storage conditions, which can lead to the degradation of medicines.
Most of the medicines sold in these locations may no longer be fit for human consumption due to the degradation of active ingredients," he warned. Esumobi assured that the PCN would continue to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines rigorously. "We will not tolerate the sale of medicines in open drug markets and other unregistered locations.
The PCN remains committed to assisting those who wish to adhere to the regulations," he added.
留言