In Taraba State, 443 pharmacies have been closed by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, or PCN.
According to the council, the accomplishment comes after a four-day enforcement operation that targeted illegal drug stores and unlicensed medicine vendors in various parts of the state.
Speaking to reporters in the state capital of Jalingo on Friday, Dr. S.S. Chiroma, the PCN’s Head of Enforcement, cautioned citizens of the state and Nigerians in general to exercise caution when sourcing their drugs to prevent them from ending up in the hands of unscrupulous and unlicensed vendors.
He further emphasized that the council is still dedicated to safeguarding public health by cleansing the pharmaceutical industry and asked the public to report any suspected illicit operators to the PCN office in Jalingo.
Nine of the 16 local government areas in the state, including Sardauna, Gashaka, Kurmi, Bali, Ardo-Kola, Jalingo, Zing, Lau, and Yorro, were visited by the enforcement team, according to Dr. Chiroma.
During the exercise, 656 locations were examined, including 573 patent medicine stores and 83 pharmacies.
Ten of them received compliance directives, while 443 of these—48 pharmacies and 395 patent medicine shops—were sealed for various violations, according to Dr. Chiroma.
The violations, as announced by him, ranged from operating without registration and failure to renew licenses, to unauthorized clinical practices, illegal access to controlled medicines, overstocking beyond approved limits, and the engagement of unqualified apprentices.
“Others were sanctioned for retaining wholesale operations without the necessary authorization,” he stated.
Chiroma emphasized the need of following the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, which provide the appropriate route for the distribution of drugs from producers and importers to the end user.
This activity is a component of our plan to eradicate quackery in the pharmaceutical industry. It would guarantee that Nigerians have access to safe and efficient pharmaceuticals and assist eradicate the careless handling of medications by individuals not authorized by the PCN Act,” he stated.
About The Author
