The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has shut down 666 illegal medicine shops in Kaduna State for operating without proper registration and violating the National Drug Distribution Guidelines. The enforcement action aimed to protect public health by ensuring the proper distribution and storage of medicines.
The PCN’s Director of Enforcement, Stephen Esumobi, disclosed that the exercise resulted in the sealing of 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal medicine shops. The closed shops were penalized for violations such as selling medicines in open markets, operating without PCN registration, and inadequate storage conditions.
Esumobi emphasized the risks posed by these illegal operations, particularly regarding the storage of medicines, and reiterated PCN’s commitment to enforcing drug distribution guidelines and preventing the sale of harmful substances. The council will support the owners of the sealed shops if they comply with regulations.
