The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed a total of 67 illegal and substandard pharmaceutical premises in Lagos as part of its ongoing crackdown on quackery and unauthorised medicine sales in the state.
The announcement was made during a press briefing at the PCN Lagos Zonal Office in Yaba, following an extensive two-day enforcement exercise carried out from 16-17 June, 2025.
Dr Taiwo Filusi, director of the PCN Lagos Zonal Office, who represented the PCN Registrar, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the enforcement exercise was a necessary step to curb the growing threat posed by unregistered medicine vendors and unauthorised pharmaceutical operations.
“The proliferation of illegal and unregistered pharmaceutical premises remains a significant public health threat. Such outlets are often operated by individuals without professional training or ethical commitment, leading to the mishandling of medicines and putting public health at risk,” Filusi said.
The enforcement team inspected 89 pharmaceutical premises across multiple areas including Mushin, Oshodi, Bariga, Shomolu, Gbagada, Oworonshoki, Amuwo, Satellite Town, Iyana Iba, and Okokomaiko. Of these, he said 67 were sealed, including 48 illegal medicine outlets, 17 pharmacies, and two patent medicine shops. Another 11 outlets were issued compliance directives for minor infractions.
According to Dr Filusi, violations observed ranged from operating without registration or professional oversight, improper storage of medicines, and unauthorised access to controlled drugs, to wholesale premises illegally retailing to the public. Some outlets were found training apprentices in unapproved settings, while others lacked basic record-keeping and traceability of drug inventories.
“These actions are not punitive alone—they are protective,” Filusi emphasised. “We must ensure that medicines, which are life-saving tools, are handled only by trained and licensed professionals within the appropriate regulatory frameworks.”
The PCN warned that unregulated drug sales contribute to self-medication, antimicrobial resistance, treatment failures, and avoidable deaths. Medicines exposed to heat, humidity, or dispensed without the correct dosage instructions from professionals could become ineffective—or even toxic.
“We cannot allow medicines to be handled like ordinary commodities. They must be treated with the seriousness they deserve,” Filusi said, reiterating the Council’s commitment to upholding pharmaceutical standards nationwide.
The PCN urged all pharmaceutical operators to register their premises, employ qualified personnel, and comply with all professional guidelines. “Operators found breaking seals or reopening sealed premises without clearance will face legal consequences,” he warned. The council also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious medicine outlets and unsafe practices, pledging to sustain collaboration with other regulatory agencies including NAFDAC and law enforcement to eliminate illegal practices in the sector.
In goodwill messages, key industry leaders voiced strong support for the enforcement action. Pharm. Tolulope Ajayi, chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos Branch, applauded the efforts of the PCN, Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Committee (PIC), and the Lagos State Ministry of Health. He stressed that illegal drug sales directly correlate with public exposure to counterfeit and harmful medications.
“Medicines are not just commodities. When wrongly prescribed or dispensed by untrained hands, they become poison. A trained pharmacist ensures correct dosage, purpose, and timing—essential to safe treatment outcomes,” Ajayi stated. He emphasised that sustained enforcement would not only reduce treatment failures and drug resistance but also enhance the integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos Chapter, described the operation as a “declaration of zero tolerance” for any infringement of Pharmacy laws. He praised the professionalism of the enforcement team and called the closures a necessary action to restore public trust in the healthcare system.
“These closures are not just a show of regulation—they are a reaffirmation of our duty to protect lives. The operation is proof that we are committed to a safe and well-regulated pharmaceutical environment,” Oyekunle said. He also urged residents of Lagos to remain alert and report any suspicious drug outlets to authorities, underscoring that community cooperation is key to sustaining a safe pharmaceutical ecosystem.
The PCN reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining public health and ensuring that only qualified professionals handle and dispense medicines. The council vowed to continue its enforcement drives and collaborative efforts to rid Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector of quackery and unregulated practices.
As Dr Filusi aptly concluded: “We owe it to the Nigerian people to ensure that medicines, meant to heal, do not become agents of harm in the wrong hands.”
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