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Pharmacist Council clamps down on illegal drug practices

By Stanley Akpunonu
01 September 2016   |   2:06 am
The Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) in its bid to regulate and control the education and practice of pharmacy took to the streets of Lagos during its national enforcement ...
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The Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) in its bid to regulate and control the education and practice of pharmacy took to the streets of Lagos during its national enforcement week to combat illicit practices.

Deputy Director, Enforcement PCN, Stephen Esumobi, at a press conference in Lagos said that one of the core mandates of Council is ensuring rational distribution and dispensing of the medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality to the public. He further stated that before any pharmaceutical facility commences operation must first fulfill certain conditions in line with the PCN guidelines.

Esumobi added: “What we observed in many parts of Lagos is that so many premises commenced operations without fulfilling minimum requirements. Some of these premises store products in the environments where the quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products cannot be guaranteed. Thus exposing the public to danger. This exercise is part of efforts to reverse this ugly situation.”

The deputy director said that at the end of the exercise a total of 382 premises comprising 117 pharmacies and 256 patent medicine shops were visited. Total of 259 premises made up of 46 pharmacies and 213 patent medicine stores were sealed for offences ranging from non-registration with the PCN failure to renew premises and dispensing of ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist. He also said that total of 28 premises were issued compliance directives for offences such as poor sanitary conditions, poor documentation and failure to display licenses.

Esumobi advised the general public: “Members of the public are advised to purchase their medicines from licensed pharmacies and simple household remedies from licensed patent and propriety medicines vendor shops while those intending to start pharmaceutical business should get in touch with the PCN head office at Abuja or any of the state zonal offices for proper guidance.”

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