Jigawa State, Nigeria – The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has announced the closure of over 350 pharmacies and medicine stores in Jigawa State as part of efforts to streamline the drug distribution system in the country.
Pharmacist Stephen Esumobi, the Director of Enforcement for PCN in Jigawa State, revealed this during a press briefing at the Federal Secretariat in Dutse, the state capital.
The enforcement team conducted patrols to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and quality of medicines as they passed through different stages of the distribution chain until they reached consumers.
Esumobi highlighted that many premises were operating illegally without registration by the PCN in Jigawa State. Additionally, some patent medicine shops were found to stock unauthorized medicines beyond their approved lists and storage conditions were inadequate, leading to product degradation.
Moreover, illegal medicine dealers were discovered to be selling substances of abuse, exacerbating social and security challenges stemming from illicit drug use.
The PCN’s enforcement activities covered various local government areas in the state, including Dutse, Hadejia, Birnin Kudu, Gwaram, Ringim, Taura, Birniwa, and Guri, among others.
A total of 457 premises were visited, comprising 19 pharmacies, 178 patent medicine shops, and 260 illegal premises. Of these, 355 premises were sealed, including 8 pharmacies, 87 patent medicine shops, and 260 illegal medicine shops.
The closures were due to various offences such as the unauthorized sale of substances of abuse, wholesale premises engaging in retail, sale of medicines without documentation, and operating without registration with the PCN.
