Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 498 drug premises in Lagos State for violating pharmaceutical regulations during its week-long enforcement exercise across local government areas.

The PCN said the affected premises included 215 pharmacies, 83 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops found to be operating without proper authorisation or in violation of the council’s guidelines.

The Head of Enforcement of the Pharmacy Council, Dr Suleiman Chiroma, disclosed this yesterday during a press briefing at the PCN Zonal Office in Yaba, Lagos.

According to him, the exercise covered Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, and Surulere.

Chiroma said a total of 845 premises were inspected, comprising 483 pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops. He explained that 29 other premises were served with compliance directives for various regulatory breaches.

He said the offences ranged from operation of unlicensed premises, failure to renew registration, unauthorised clinical practice, and access to controlled substances, to wholesalers engaging in retail operations, which contravened their licence terms.

Chiroma described as unacceptable the growing trend of non-pharmacist staff handling controlled medicines in some Lagos pharmacies without proper supervision, warning that such acts pose serious security risks.

The PCN urged residents to buy drugs only from licensed and qualified pharmacies and patent medicine vendors displaying valid licences within their premises.

Chiroma added that by patronising legitimate outlets, the public could help curb the spread of substandard or falsified medicines and support a safer healthcare system.