PCN seals 430 illegal drug outlets, pharmacies in Yobe
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 430 pharmaceutical establishments in Yobe State as part of an extensive four-day enforcement operation across ten local government areas.
Suleiman Chiroma, Head of Enforcement for the PCN, provided details of the operation during a press briefing in Damaturu on Thursday. A total of 601 premises were inspected in Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru, Fune, and Bade, among other areas.
During the inspection, Chiroma reported that nearly half of the facilities reviewed—approximately 50 percent—were operating unlawfully. Specifically, 300 of these constituted unregistered outlets, including 267 Patent Medicine Vendor (PPMV) stores and 34 pharmacies.
As a result of the enforcement action, 300 illegal outlets, 110 PPMV stores, and 20 pharmacies were sealed. Additionally, the PCN issued 21 compliance directives during the operation.
Chiroma noted that illegal facilities accounted for 70 percent of the total establishments sealed. He expressed concern regarding the low compliance rates in the state, revealing that only 41 percent of pharmacies and 63 percent of PPMV stores adhered to regulatory standards. Furthermore, he pointed out that pharmacies represented just 6 percent of the premises inspected.
He highlighted several breaches observed, including operation without PCN licenses, inadequate storage conditions, unauthorized access to controlled substances, and the use of unqualified personnel for drug dispensing. Chiroma warned that such practices could jeopardize public health and contribute to issues such as treatment failures, drug abuse, and antimicrobial resistance.
This enforcement action was conducted under the PCN Establishment Act of 2022, aimed at ensuring access to safe medicines in alignment with the National Drug Policy. Chiroma emphasized the council’s commitment to maintaining regulatory oversight and urged the public to acquire medicines solely from PCN-licensed premises.
