The South-West zone of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has reportedly closed 387 pharmacies and patients medication stores in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly violating its operating guidelines.
At a news conference on Thursday in Ibadan, Stephen Esumobi, its South-West Director and Head of Enforcement Department, said this.
At a press briefing where PCN South-West Director Dr. Yejide Oseni and Director of Special Duties Peter Iliya were in attendance, Mr. Esunmobi stated that the crackdown was intended to simplify the drug distribution chain.
He said that the crew went to a total of 585 locations, including 179 pharmacies and 406 Patent Medicines Shops (PMS) in Ibadan.
At the conclusion of the program, 387 facilities, including 57 pharmacies and 330 businesses selling patent medications, were sealed for operating illegally and in violation of PCN laws, according to Mr. Esunmobi.
In addition to one of the owners of an unregistered patent medicine business being detained for violating the PCN seal, he claimed that ten compliance directives had been issued.
He claimed that the exercise was conducted in conjunction with members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who diligently and expertly completed their assigned tasks.
Despite extensive public awareness campaigns, Mr. Esunmobi said it was concerning that several pharmacies and patients shops were still functioning in the state in violation of the council’s rules.
He said that some businesses weren’t registered with PCN and that others hadn’t renewed their business licenses.
“The fact that patent medicine stores offer drugs not on the approved medication list is another alarming finding.
They put the public’s lives at danger by providing therapeutic services while lacking the expertise and training necessary to do so.
Additionally, some pharmacies run without a pharmacist’s assistance, and some establishments licensed as wholesalers also participate in retail sales, according to Mr. Esunmobi.
The director suggested that people purchase their prescription medications from licensed and registered pharmacies and their over-the-counter medications from approved patent medicine stores.
According to Mr. Esumobi, all licensed establishments must prominently display their premises licenses or other proof of registration.
He stated that only medications on the approved drug list for vendors were permitted for stocking and sale by patent medicine merchants.
“Selling medications not on the approved list or participating in clinical practice is illegal.
“All licensed premises are required to renew their licenses annually on or before January 31 in order to guarantee that standards are upheld.
The PCN enforcement squad will “shut down any locations that failed to renew their licences after March 31,” he stated.
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