In Kogi State, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) sealed 311 locations, including 15 pharmacies and 296 Patent Medicine Shops (PMS), for violating its rules and regulations.
This was revealed on Sunday in Lokoja during a news conference by Mr. Stephen Esumobi, Director and Head of Enforcement Department, PCN.
Esumobi stated that in an effort to streamline the drug distribution system, the PCN enforcement team had been in Kogi for a few days.
“It was noted that many establishments in Kogi continue to operate illegally. While some have neglected to renew their premises licenses, they operate without PCN registration.
“At the conclusion of the exercise, 390 locations—342 PMS and 48 pharmacies—had been inspected.
“A total of 311 locations, including 296 pharmacies and 15 pharmacies, were sealed.
Three patent drug dealers were detained for violating PCN seals, and two compliance directions were issued, according to Esumobi.
He emphasized that the location was sealed due to, among other things, operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates, the sale of illegal performance-enhancing pharmaceuticals and medications for abuse, and lax access control to the Poison Cupboards.
He emphasized that the PCN guidelines and regulations were created to make sure that stakeholders continued to adhere to the necessary standards of practice in their operations in line with international best practices.
In order to ensure that medicines were secure, efficient, and of high quality as they passed from one point in the distribution chain to the next until they reached consumers, he gave the assurance that the PCN would scale up its enforcement actions.
You can read more of such stories at The Cheer News
It is an offense for any facilities to operate without registration or the renewal of their premises certificates, the official stated. “All licensed premises are required to renew their licences on or before January 31 every year.”
Esumobi encouraged the general public to purchase all prescription medications from licensed and registered pharmacies and OTC medications from licensed patent medicine stores.
The PCN is a Federal Government organization tasked with regulating pharmacy education, training, and practice in all of its forms.
You can read more of such stories at The Cheer News and Credible News
