Pharmacy Board Shuts Down 666 Unlicensed Drug Outlets In Kaduna

Pharmacy Board Shuts Down 666 Unlicensed Drug Outlets In Kaduna

For violating the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has shut down 666 unregistered medicine shops in Kaduna State.

The enforcement operation began earlier in the week, targeting open drug markets and other locations selling medicines without proper registration and oversight.

Speaking to the press in Kaduna on Thursday, Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, the PCN Director of Enforcement, explained that the operation was designed to ensure safe and effective medicine distribution, protect public health, and prevent the sale of harmful or counterfeit substances in the state.

According to Esumobi, a total of 895 premises were inspected during the crackdown, which included 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal drug outlets.

As part of the enforcement, nine compliance directives were issued to establishments found operating unlawfully. Esumobi highlighted that 666 premises were sealed during the operation, consisting of 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine shops, and 306 illegal medicine outlets.

He emphasized that the PCN will not allow the sale of medicines in open drug markets or unregistered locations, reaffirming the council’s commitment to enforcing the National Drug Distribution Guidelines to protect the public from unsafe drugs.

Esumobi warned that unregistered drug outlets operating in Kaduna’s open markets pose significant risks due to poor storage conditions, which can degrade medicines. He explained that many of these drugs may no longer be safe for consumption because their active ingredients could have deteriorated.

The PCN, he added, will not hesitate to take further action against non-compliant dealers while supporting those willing to comply with the regulations.