The Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, and Ikwerre local government districts of Rivers State have 379 pharmacies and patent medicine outlets closed, according to the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
According to the federal government agency, among the offences that resulted in the closure of the stores were selling drugs without a prescription, operating without a licence, and having inadequate storage facilities.
Mr. Stephen Esumobi, Director and Head of Enforcement Department, PCN, briefed journalists on the development yesterday in Port Harcourt. He said the goal of the action is to make sure that stakeholders adhere to the necessary standards of behaviour in their activities.
Esumobi disclosed that during the monitoring period, PCN enforcement team visited 543 premises where drugs were sold, adding that the agency is now better positioned to carry out its statutory roles in regulating the practice of pharmacy in all aspects.
He said, “The PCN over the years established structures in the states for effective engagement and regulating of stakeholders in the drug distribution chain across the country.
“In spite of the efforts of the council in Rivers State so many patent medicine shop owners and other stakeholders have chosen to operate in total disregard for public safety. Most patent vendors are not registered with PCN and engage in activities far beyond their scope thereby endangering public health.
“The national enforcement team has been in the state since the beginning of the week and at the end of the exercise, a total of 543 premises were visited. This comprises 386 patent medicine shops and 157 pharmacies. A total of 379 premises were sealed comprising 66 pharmacies and 313 patent medicine shops.
“A total of nine compliance directives were issued. Most of the premises were sealed for offences which include operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates, unauthorised sale of medicines of abuse, poor access control to the poison cupboards, poor storage facilities, stocking and sale of prescription and other ethical products by patent medicine vendors among others.”
The PCN however, advised the public to always source their drug needs from registered and currently licensed pharmacies.
Esumobi thanked the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the police, Department of State Security (DSS) and the press for their continuous collaboration with the PCN in achieving its mandate.