In Rivers State, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) closed 66 pharmacies and 313 Patent Medicines Shops for violating numerous legal requirements.
After learning that the 379 locations were in the local government areas of Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor, and Port Harcourt City, where the offenders' activities are allegedly a threat to the public's health, Stephen Esumobi, PCN Director and Head of Enforcement Department, revealed this information yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Esumobi said, “Most of the premises were sealed for offences which include operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates, unauthorized 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.
“In spite of efforts of the council in Rivers, 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.”
He cautioned residents to patronise registered and licensed pharmacies and over-the-counter medicines from registered patent medicine shops as he thanked the state Ministry of Health and security agencies for cooperating the PCN to rid the state of non complaint medicine dealers.