PCN seals 305 pharmacies, medicine shops for various offenses in Kebbi
PCN seals 305 pharmacies, medicine shops for various offenses in Kebbi
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 20 pharmacies and 285 patent medicine shops for various offences in Kebbi State.
The PCN Director Enforcement, Mr Stephen Esumobi,made the disclosure at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on on Friday behalf of the Registrar of the council, Mr Elijah Mohammed.
He said that the existence of unregistered medicine shops across the country was a major factor militating against rational distribution and use of medicine in the country.
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“Also a large number of registered patent medicine shops carry out activities that are beyond their approved scope thereby posing a serious threat to public health.
” These premises have over the years become channels for distribution of medicines whose quality, safety and efficacy are compromised due to poor storage facilities and handling,” he said.
According to him, the PCN established pharmaceutical inspection committee (PICs) and patent and proprietary medicine vendor license across states as part of efforts to achieve its mandate and reverse the ugly situation.
Mohammed said the PCN enforcement team had been in the state since on Monday to ensure that all premises where medicine were sold fulfil conditions as specified by the law.
“At the end of enforcement exercise a total of 508 premises comprising 42 pharmacies 466 patent medicine shops were visited.
“A total of 305 premises made up of 20 pharmacies and 285 patent medicine shops were sealed for various offences some of which include operating without registration with PCN, failure to renew premises licence, dispensing ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist, poor storage and sanitary condition, among others.
” In addition to a total of seven pharmacies and patent medicine shops which were issued compliance directives,” he said.
He assured that the state of PCN was doing all in its power to assist owners of premises who are ready to comply with regulations.
He advised the general public to purchase their medicine from license pharmacies and simple household remedies from license patent and proprietary medicine vendor shops.
The register thanked the security agencies and media for their cooperation and support to the PCN in its effort to ensure sanity in the drug distribution system in the country.
PCN seals 305 pharmacies, medicine shops for various offenses in Kebbi
