Pharmacist Stephen Esumobi, Director Enforcement, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria(PCN), has said that the council has sealed 355 pharmacies and patent medicines shops in Jigawa state on Thursday.
Speaking with newsmen in Dutse on Thursday evening after the operation in many local Councils, he said the palces were shut down for various offences.
He explained that it was observed that many premises in Jigawa were operating illegally without registering with the council.
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According to him, “Many of the patent medicine stores have stocked large quantities of medicines outside approved drug lists beyond their scope.
“Storage conditions in most premises were found to be inadequate, thus exposing the products to degradation which will affect public health.” He explained.
He added that most of the drugs found in the patent shops may no longer be fit for human consumption.
The Director further revealed that illegal medicine dealers were also found selling substances of abuse to the public, thus aggravating social and security concerns from illicit use of drugs.
The Council he said, had visited Hadejia, Birnin Kudu, Gwaram, Ringim, Taura, Birniwa, Guri, Malam Madori, Jahun, Kiyawa, Garki and Gumel.
The operation was also extended to Dutse, Kazaure, Roni, Gagarawa, Buji, Kafin Hausa, Kaugama and Auyo local governmentbareqs respectively.
The places were sealed for offences ranging from unauthorised sale of substances of abuse, wholesale premises engaging in retail and sales of medicines without documentation.
Some were also sealed for operating without registration with the council, poor storage facilities, stocking ethical products without supervision of a competent pharmacist.
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In addition, the Director noted that two were arrested for breaking the Council’s seal and the second for obstructing the inspectors.
The Registrar of the PCN according to Esumobi, is repositioning the Council to strengthen its surveillance and enforcement activities nationwide.
This he said, is aimed at improving the quality of Pharmaceutical services in premises across the states of the Federation.
The Director further warned drug sellers to ensure proper registration and ethical conduct to avoid crossing the paths of the law.
He said that the enforcement was backed by the Pharmaceutical Premises, Location, Inspection, Structure, Monitoring and Enforcement Regulations 2022.