The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has shut down 486 medicine outlets in Niger State for flouting regulatory standards ranging from unlicensed operations to the sale of controlled drugs without authorization.
The Head of Enforcement at PCN headquarters, Suleiman Ciroma, announced the development on Friday in Minna while briefing journalists at the Council’s North Central Zonal Office after a week-long clampdown.
According to him, the affected premises comprise 69 pharmacies, 127 patent medicine shops, and 290 illegal outlets.
He added that one individual had been arrested and would face prosecution for obstructing PCN officials during the exercise.
“In total, 672 premises—136 pharmacies and 536 patent medicine stores—were inspected across nine local government areas including Agaie, Bida, Tafa, Chanchaga, Lapai, Paikoro, Bosso, Suleja, and Gurara,” Ciroma disclosed.
The enforcement exercise, he explained, was aimed at scrutinizing both personnel and facilities to ensure adherence to professional ethics and minimum standards required for safe pharmaceutical practice.
READ ALSO: PCN Shuts Down 443 Illegal Drug Outlets in Taraba
Investigators uncovered widespread breaches such as unlicensed operations, unauthorized clinical services, illegal sale of restricted drugs, and unapproved apprenticeship training.
Ciroma urged residents to play their part by patronizing only accredited facilities. “Licensed pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) are identifiable by the visible display of their valid licenses. The public should always look out for this to guard against quackery,” he said.
The PCN further emphasized that the ongoing nationwide exercise is part of efforts to sanitize the pharmaceutical space, safeguard public health, and curb the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines.
While commending the cooperation of Niger residents, Ciroma assured that the Council will sustain the campaign to weed out unqualified operators across the country.