Lagos pharmacists raise concern over drug regulation gaps, seek PCN Council
Lagos State Pharmacy Society Calls for Enhanced Regulatory Oversight
The Lagos State branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) expressed alarm over deficiencies in pharmaceutical regulation, highlighting the potential risks to medicine safety and professional standards. Concerns were raised regarding inadequate staffing in essential regulatory offices and the lengthy absence of a fully established Governing Council for the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
During the opening of the 2026 Pharmacy Week in Lagos, Pharm. Olaitan Ogunlade, chairman of the PSN in Lagos, urged the Federal Government to promptly inaugurate the PCN Governing Council. He argued that regulatory delays have hampered critical functions, including accreditation, professional discipline, and oversight of pharmacy practices.
Ogunlade pointed out that the shortage of pharmacists in the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS) of the Lagos State Ministry of Health is limiting the agency’s capacity to conduct drug inspections, quality control, and enforcement actions against counterfeit medications. He called on the Lagos State Government to recruit additional pharmacists and ensure qualified professionals fill key regulatory roles.
He also emphasized the need for the Federal Government to establish the PCN Governing Council in accordance with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act of 2022. Ogunlade noted that the absence of a properly constituted council for the past three years has adversely affected the accreditation of training institutions and disciplinary actions in pharmacy regulation.
In response, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, called for stronger regulation of medications, cautioning that uncontrolled access to controlled substances poses significant public health and environmental dangers. He insisted that restricted medicines must be subject to strict oversight across hospitals, community pharmacies, laboratories, and veterinary services.
Abayomi pointed out that residues from antimicrobials, hormones, pesticides, and other substances can enter the food chain through products such as milk, eggs, fish, and meat, presenting broader health and environmental threats. He acknowledged the crucial roles played by community pharmacies, patent and proprietary medicine vendors, and traditional medicine practitioners within the state’s healthcare system.
According to Abayomi, indications suggest that more than half of Lagos residents may initially seek treatment from these community-based providers before accessing conventional health facilities. Instead of sidelining these providers, he advocated for their integration into a more robust regulatory and referral framework.
