The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed no fewer than 598 pharmaceutical premises across Kaduna State over various regulatory breaches.
The council also arrested two vendors during a four-day enforcement operation aimed at sanitising the drug distribution system in the state.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kaduna on Friday, the Head of Enforcement, Suleiman Chiroma, disclosed that a total of 828 premises were inspected across 10 local government areas.
The inspected facilities included 123 pharmacies, 631 patent medicine stores, and 74 unlicensed outlets.
Out of these, 68 pharmacies, 456 patent medicine stores, and all 74 unlicensed facilities were sealed for failing to meet regulatory standards.
Chiroma said the violations ranged from illegal operations to the improper handling and sale of medicines.
He added that four compliance directives were issued during the exercise, while two vendors were arrested for what he described as “gross violations” of the PCN Act.
According to him, some patent medicine vendors were found stocking and dispensing prescription-only and controlled medicines, a practice he warned poses serious risks to public health.
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“Such practices exceed their authorised scope and pose significant risks to public safety,” he said.
Despite the widespread infractions, Chiroma noted an improvement in compliance levels, revealing that only nine per cent of the inspected premises were operating illegally, while 28 per cent met regulatory standards.
He further disclosed that 45 per cent of pharmacies and 28 per cent of patent medicine stores were fully compliant with the council’s requirements.
Offences leading to the sealing of the premises included operating without valid licences, running unregistered facilities, engaging in unauthorised clinical practices, stocking restricted medicines in patent stores, and obstructing regulatory inspections.
Reaffirming the council’s commitment to public safety, Chiroma stressed that only licensed premises operated by qualified professionals would be allowed to function.
He also warned the public against patronising unlicensed medicine vendors, noting that misuse of drugs could lead to severe health complications or death.
“Drugs are poisons if not properly used. The difference between a drug and a poison is how it is used,” he cautioned.
Chiroma urged residents to obtain medicines only from licensed pharmacies and to ensure that qualified pharmacists are present to provide proper guidance.