For offenses ranging from sale of medicines in open drug markets, illegal operations, non-renewal of premises certificates, among others, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) says it has sealed 501 medicine shops in Jos, Plateau State.
The PCN Director of Enforcement, Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, made the disclosure at the weekend in Jos, Plateau State, during a press conference to announce the 3-day activities of the enforcement team within the state capital and environs.
He said within the space of three days, the enforcement team visited a total of 701 premises in the heart of the state, and found 501 guilty of different offenses, which necessitated their closure.
Other unlawful acts of the patent medicine dealers, Esumobi stated were non-pharmacists having access to and dispensing controlled medicines; stocking and sales of medicines above the approved medicine list for patent medicine vendors; engaging in clinical practice; poor documentation; poor storage facilities; stocking without the supervision of a pharmacist, among others.
According to him, “The Enforcement team has been in the state from 13 to 16 May 2024 and visited premises within the state capital and environs. At the end of the exercise, a total of 701 premises were visited, this comprises of 167 pharmacies, 224 patent medicine shops and 310 illegal premises. A total of 501 premises were sealed.
“For medicines to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes, they must maintain their physico-chemical and therapeutic properties as they transit from the manufacturer or importer through the various levels of the distribution chain to the end users.
“One of the major factors affecting the quality of medicines in the medicine supply chain in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria is the sale of medicines in the open markets and other unregistered locations.”
He narrated that the PCN is currently strengthening its state and zonal offices to properly position them to effectively carry out its regulatory mandate with the aim of ensuring that Nigerians access medicines that are safe, effective, and of good quality at all times and in all locations.
The PCN Director further described sale of medicines in open drug markets and other unregistered locations as major factors affecting the quality of medicines in the supply chain in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria, saying the council will ensure total elimination of all illegal drug markets in country.
He said, “Many of these premises took steps to comply; however, information available through our surveillance team indicates that some premises are yet to take steps to comply, while new illegal outlets are emerging in several locations across Jos metropolis. This necessitated this visit.”
 says it has sealed 501 medicine shops in Jos, Plateau State. The PCN Director of Enforcement, P){kind=link}
PCN needs to visit ENUGU STATE next!
That state has become a hotbed for all manner of illegal activities in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
As a matter of fact, I’m of the opinion that particular attention should be paid to the entire southeast region with a view to ensuring that the pharmaceutical supply chain in the region is sanitized and made to fully comply with all the terms of the PCN act 2022 as relates to supply chain regulation.