Council seals off 355 pharmacies in Jigawa over ‘illegal operation’

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed off 355 pharmacies and patent medicine shops in Jigawa for various offences.

Speaking with journalists after the operation in some LGAs, Stephen Esumobi, the PCN director of enforcement, said many of the sealed outfits have been “operating illegally without registration”.

He said the council sealed some wholesale shops over the sale of medicines without documentation, poor storage facilities, and stocking ethical products without the supervision of a competent pharmacist.

“Many of the patent medicine stores have stocked large quantities of medicines outside approved drug lists beyond their scope,” Esumobi said.

“Storage conditions in most premises were found to be inadequate, thus exposing the products to degradation, which will affect public health.”

He said most of the drugs found in the patent shops were no longer fit for human consumption, adding that illegal medicine dealers were also found selling substances of abuse to the public.

He said the council visited Hadejia, Birnin Kudu, Gwaram, Ringim, Taura, Birniwa, Guri, Malam Madori, Jahun, Kiyawa, Garki, and Gumel LGAs.

Esumobi added that the team also raided shops and pharmacies in Dutse, Kazaure, Roni, Gagarawa, Buji, Kafin Hausa, Kaugama, and Auyo LGAs.

He said two people were arrested for breaking the council’s seal and obstructing inspectors from performing lawful duty.

He warned drug sellers to ensure proper registration and ethical conduct to avoid crossing the path of the law.