The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has closed 571 pharmacies and medicine shops across Bauchi State following a major enforcement operation.
At a press conference, Pharm Stephen Esumobi, Director of Enforcement at PCN, detailed that the operation targeted a total of 762 premises, comprising 88 pharmacies, 284 patent medicine shops, and 390 unlicensed medicine shops.
Among these, 37 pharmacies, 144 patent medicine shops, and all 390 unlicensed outlets were found to be in breach of regulatory standards and were subsequently shut down.
The enforcement operation covered 10 local government areas: Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa, Darazo, Ganjuwa, Alkaleri, Dambam, Kirfi, Ningi, Toro, and Dass.
Esumobi stressed that ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and quality of medicines necessitates proper storage with controlled temperature and humidity. He pointed out that non-compliance with these standards poses significant risks, including treatment failures and preventable deaths.
Despite previous warnings and guidelines issued to improve practices, many premises continued to neglect the required regulations.
He notes that: “Other breaches committed by owners of pharmaceutical premises include operating without registration and non-renewal of premises certificates, poor documentation, patent medicine vendors stocking medicines outside the approved drug list and carrying out clinical services, wholesalers engaging in retail, pharmacies operating without a superintendent pharmacist.”
The PCN also expressed concerns about the rising market for substance abuse in the state, which is worsening local social and security problems.
The council warned that regulatory violations are punishable under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022, with penalties including fines up to ₦2 million or the revocation of licenses.
Esumobi emphasized that the PCN’s state and zonal offices will maintain stringent monitoring to ensure compliance with pharmaceutical regulations throughout the state.