Chima Azubuike
No fewer than 751 medicine shops in the Gombe State open drug market were sealed by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that PCN is a Federal Government agency charged with the responsibility of regulating and controlling the education, training and practice of pharmacy in all its aspects in line with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022.
According to the Director of Enforcement, Stephen Esumobi, the business premises were sealed for offences that included sales of medicines in the open market, operating without registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, poor documentation, poor storage facilities and stocking of ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist.
He disclosed that the PCN enforcement team operated in five Local Government Areas from April 20 to 25, 2024, and covered Gombe, Akko, Yalmatu Deba, Funakaye and Billiri LGAs.
“At the end of the exercise, a total of 1001 premises were visited. This is made up of 71 pharmacies, 346 patent medicine shops and 584 illegal premises including those in Gombe open drug market.
“A total of 751 premises were sealed. The premises sealed include 39 pharmacies, 128 patent medicine shops and 584 illegal medicine shops,” Esumobi added.
The pharmacist noted that the PCN as a government agency is not interested in crippling businesses but willing to encourage growth bearing safety in mind.
“The PCN has mandated its office in Gombe to render all necessary assistance to medicine dealers in the state open drug market and other locations who are willing to comply with regulations,” he stated.
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