The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 722 pharmaceutical premises, including 52 pharmacies, 339 patent medicine stores and 331 illegal outlets, during a four-day enforcement exercise in Bauchi State.

The exercise, which covered 15 local government areas, involved the inspection of 950 premises to ensure compliance with regulations governing the distribution, storage and sale of medicines.

The Head of the PCN Enforcement Department, Suleiman Chiroma, disclosed this on Thursday during a press conference in Bauchi on the outcome of the enforcement operation.

Chiroma said the team inspected 92 pharmacies, 527 patent medicine shops and 331 illegal outlets, adding that 24 compliance directives were issued during the exercise. He explained that the operation was part of the council’s efforts to sanitise the drug distribution system and enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.

According to him, the exercise is aimed at curbing the unauthorised sale and distribution of prescription and controlled medicines, ensuring that pharmaceutical premises are operated by qualified personnel and eliminating illegal drug outlets.

The PCN official expressed concern over the discovery of patent medicine vendors selling ethical medicines, injectables and intravenous infusions in violation of the Approved Patent Medicine List.

He said other violations identified included operating without registration, poor record-keeping, improper signage, unhygienic premises, unrestricted access to poisons by unauthorised persons and the training of apprentices.

Chiroma also raised concerns over the alleged unauthorised sale of controlled medicines for abuse, particularly in the Bayan Gari area of Bauchi metropolis.

He listed some of the controlled substances recovered during the operation as Flunitrazepam, also known as Rohypnol; Diazepam, sold under the brand name Valium; Tramadol Hydrochloride; and codeine-containing cough syrups.

He said the sale of such controlled medicines by patent and proprietary medicine vendors was expressly prohibited by law.

The local government areas visited during the exercise were Bauchi, Darazo, Gamawa, Kirfi, Alkaleri, Toro, Misau, Katagum, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro, Dass, Ningi, Warji and Jama’are.

Providing further details, Chiroma said all 331 illegal premises identified during the exercise were sealed in accordance with the law.

He added that illegal outlets accounted for a significant proportion of the facilities sealed, while compliance levels among licensed operators remained a concern.

According to the PCN, only 43 per cent of the pharmacies inspected fully complied with regulatory standards, while 36 per cent of patent and proprietary medicine vendor outlets were found to be compliant.

Chiroma noted that pharmacies constituted only about 10 per cent of the 950 premises inspected, describing the figure as far below the ideal.

He warned that all premises involved in the handling, storage and dispensing of medicines would henceforth be subjected to strict and sustained regulatory supervision.

The council, he said, would impose appropriate sanctions on operators found violating existing laws and regulations.

He urged members of the public to purchase medicines only from premises licensed by the PCN, advising licensed operators to display valid and current licences as evidence of authorisation.

The enforcement exercise, he added, was part of the council’s broader commitment to protecting public health, preventing the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines, and ensuring access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines.

The PCN also expressed appreciation to the Bauchi State Government and residents for their cooperation and support during the operation.