Medicine Shop Crackdown in Kaduna State: 666 Unregistered Outlets Closed
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has taken a bold step to ensure the safe and effective distribution of medicines in Kaduna State by closing 666 unregistered medicine shops. The enforcement action, which began earlier this week, targeted open drug markets and other locations where medicines were sold without proper registration and oversight.
According to Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, Director of Enforcement at the PCN, the initiative aimed to safeguard public health and prevent the sale of harmful substances within the state. The crackdown involved 895 premises, including 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal medicine shops. During the enforcement, 9 compliance directives were issued to owners of establishments found to be operating unlawfully.
At the end of the enforcement exercise, a total of 895 premises were visited, comprising 75 pharmacies, 514 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal premises. A staggering 666 premises were sealed, including 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal medicine shops.
Esumobi emphasized that the PCN would not tolerate the sale of medicines in open drug markets and other unregistered locations. He assured that the council would continue to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines to protect public health and prevent the sale of harmful substances.
The unregistered medicine shops operating in open markets across Kaduna State pose significant risks to public health due to substandard storage conditions, which could lead to the degradation of medicines. This means that most of the medicines sold in those locations may no longer be fit for human consumption due to degradation of the active ingredients.
The PCN has warned that it will not hesitate to take further action against non-compliant medicine dealers and reiterated its commitment to assist those who wish to adhere to the regulations. This crackdown is a significant step towards ensuring the safe and effective distribution of medicines in Kaduna State, and the PCN’s commitment to public health is commendable.