By Ahmed Ahmed
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed off 571 illegal pharmacies and patent medicine shops in Bauchi
Mr Stephen Esumobi, Director Enforcement Pharmacy Council of Nigeria stated this during a news conference On Thursday in Bauchi.
According to him, the PCN through our state and zonal offices in Bauchi took steps to guide owners of medicine shops on steps they needed to take to operate in line with the law.
“However, in spite of this, observation during the current enforcement exercise showed that many of these premises did not take steps to improve their storage facilities.
“Other breaches committed by owners of pharmaceutical premises include operating without registration and non-renewal of premises certificates, poor documentation, patent medicine vendors stocking medicines outside the approved drug list.
He added carrying out clinical services, wholesalers engaging in retail, pharmacies operating without a superintendent pharmacist,”
The Director stressed that Illegal medicine dealers were also found to engage in the sale of large quantities of substances of abuse to members of the public especially within the state capital
“Thus aggravating the social and security challenges emanating from the illicit use of these medicines.
“Also some patent medicine stores within Bauchi metropolis were found to be stocking large quantities of used needles and syringes which are suspected to be re-used or sold to other medicine dealers operating in the rural areas.
Esumobi explained that a total of 571 premises were sealed, saying the premises sealed include 37 pharmacies, 144 Patent medicine shops and 390 illegal medicine shops.
“The local government areas visited include Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa, Darazo, Ganjuwa, Alkaleri, Dambam, Kirfi, Ningi, Toro and Dass. At the end of the exercise a total 762 premises were visited.
“This is made up of 88 pharmacies,284 Patent Medicine Shops and 390 Illegal premises,” he said.
He said the state and Zonal offices of the PCN have been directed to continue to monitor all pharmaceutical premises within the state to ensure that they operate in line with our laws and regulations.
Mr Esumobi said the council took the steps to correct anomalies observed in those premises.
“The PCN staff met with owners of such premises and most of them gave assurance that they will comply with our laws and regulations,” The Director enforcement said