PCN Seals 486 Medicine Premises In Niger State Over Regulatory Breaches
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 486 medicine premises in Niger State for various regulatory infractions, including operating without licenses, engaging unqualified personnel, and unauthorized sale of controlled drugs.
The Head of Enforcement at the PCN headquarters, Suleiman Ciroma, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the North Central Zonal Office in Minna at the end of a week-long enforcement exercise.
According to him, the affected premises include 69 pharmacies, 127 patent medicine shops, and 290 unlicensed outlets. He revealed that one individual was arrested and will be prosecuted for obstructing PCN inspectors in the course of their duties.
“In total, 672 premises comprising 136 pharmacies and 536 patent medicine stores were inspected across nine local government areas—Agaie, Bida, Tafa, Chanchaga, Lapai, Paikoro, Bosso, Suleja, and Gurara,” Ciroma said during the event.
He explained that the operation was strategically focused on evaluating premises, personnel, and pharmaceutical practices to ensure compliance with professional ethics and minimum standards that guarantee safe and quality service delivery.
The enforcement team uncovered numerous breaches, including the operation of unlicensed facilities, non-compliance with regulatory guidelines, unauthorized clinical practices, sales of controlled medicines, and illegal training of apprentices.
Ciroma emphasized that licensed pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) can be identified by the visible display of their valid licenses, urging the public to always verify this as a safeguard against quackery.
He added that the nationwide enforcement exercise is designed to sanitize the pharmaceutical sector, protect public health, and reduce the prevalence of substandard and falsified medical products.
While commending the cooperation of Niger State residents during the operation, Ciroma assured that the PCN will sustain efforts to eliminate unqualified practitioners and illegal premises across the country.
