By Milcah Tanimu
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has recently sealed 666 pharmacies and medicine stores in Kaduna State. This crackdown includes 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine stores, and 306 illegal outlets, conducted as part of an extensive enforcement drive.
Over the past week, PCN officials inspected 895 premises across Kaduna. Many of the sealed outlets were found to be operating without proper registration, lacking a supervising pharmacist, or engaging in other violations. Issues included poor documentation and inadequate storage, which endangers public health by compromising medicine safety.
Health Risks of Unregulated Medicine Sales](https://www.health.gov.ng
Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, PCN’s Director of Enforcement, highlighted the critical dangers of unregulated medicine sales in open markets. These markets often lack qualified pharmacists and may sell outdated or improperly stored drugs, posing serious health risks.PCN Official Statement](https://www.pcn.gov.ng
The PCN’s enforcement also targeted illegal sales of substances, addressing regional social and security issues. Esumobi encouraged operators of the sealed premises to comply with regulations, assuring support from the PCN’s Kaduna office for those willing to adhere to guidelines.
The PCN remains dedicated to ensuring that medicines distributed in Nigeria are safe, effective, and meet quality standards.