🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Pharmacy Council of Nigeria seals 572 drug stores in Plateau State for regulatory violations
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria PCN has sealed 572 pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Plateau State following a four-day enforcement exercise. The closures were due to violations of pharmaceutical regulations, including cooking inside drug outlets, unauthorized clinical practice, and illegal access to controlled medicines. Dr. Suleiman S. Chiroma, Head of Department, Enforcement, speaking on behalf of Registrar/CEO Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, stated that the operation aligns with the PCN's mandate to regulate pharmacy education, training, and practice. The crackdown is part of efforts to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, aiming to ensure drug distribution through approved channels and eradicate substandard medicines. Of 778 premises inspected across Jos South, Jos North, Mangu, Shendam, Barkin Ladi, Qua’an Pan, and Bassa Local Government Areas, 120 pharmacies, 372 patent medicine stores, and 80 illegal outlets were sealed. Five compliance directives were also issued. The PCN noted that 60 percent of the 199 pharmacies visited were sealed, indicating a concerning standard of pharmaceutical practice. Infractions included unauthorized storage and dispensing of medicines, and operation by prospective vendors. The PCN emphasized its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring access to safe, quality medicines dispensed by licensed professionals and urged the public to purchase medicines only from PCN-approved premises.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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