The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, has sealed 405 medicine shops and arrested five illegal medicine dealers, during a recent enforcement operation in Calabar, Cross River State.
This action follows a comprehensive inspection of 500 pharmaceutical premises in Calabar, including 84 pharmacies, 216 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal establishments.
The enforcement operation, led by the PCN’s national enforcement team, revealed widespread non-compliance with regulatory standards, particularly in the state capital, Calabar.
Many of the inspected premises were found to be unregistered, inadequately supervised, and storing medicines in poor conditions, which compromises their safety, efficacy, and quality.
Speaking during a press briefing held after a week-long enforcement, PCN’s Director of Enforcement, Stephen Esumobi, emphasized the importance of maintaining strict compliance, to ensure that medicines remained safe and effective until the point of administration.
Esumobi further stressed that the premises that were sealed will remain closed, until their owners address the observed lapses and meet all regulatory requirements.
As the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria continues to tighten its regulatory grip, the council remains committed to safeguarding public health, by ensuring that only safe and effective medicines reached the consumers.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
