Pharmacy Council takes drive to free Nigeria of illicit drug practices to Kaduna

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in its bid to regulate and control the education and practice of pharmacy took to the streets of Kaduna during its national enforcement week to combat illicit practices.

The PCN is charged with the responsibility of regulating and controlling, practice of pharmacy in all aspects and ramifications to ensure rational distribution and dispensing of medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality to the public.

To this end, the Council said it has sealed off a total of 373 premises made up of 15 illegal Pharmacies and 358 Patent Medicine Stores for various offences some of which are operating without registration with PCN, failure to renew premises license, dispensing ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist, poor sanitary conditions among others.

Speaking in Kaduna was Director and Head of Inspection and Monitoring Department PCN, Mrs.. She said: “Five arrests were made for offences ranging from obstruction of inspectors and breaking of seal which is a criminal offence.”

Aruya said that the Council in Kaduna State observed that so many premises commenced operations without fulfilling minimum requirements. “Some of these premises store products in environments where the quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products cannot be guaranteed,” she said.

She added: “This exposes the public to serious danger. Others do not have the requisite knowledge or technical knowhow to handle the highly ethical drugs in their facilities. This exercise is part of efforts by the PCN to reverse this ugly trend and improve on the level of pharmaceutical services delivery to the good people of Kaduna State.”

Aruya said that the PCN enforcement teams stormed Kaduna State visiting various parts of Kaduna including Barnawa, Mando, Kawo, HanyinBanki, UnguwanMuazu, Kikinau, Sabo, Kakuri, Makera, UnguwanDosa, Badarawa, UnguwanSanusi, Badiko, Tundun Wada, Kamazo, UnguwanBoro, Television, UnguwanSarki, Malali, UnguwanRimi, Rigasa, Kurmi-Mashi, UnguwanPama, Unguwan Sunday, Romi, Kabala West, Kabala Costain, Abakwau, UnguwanKanawa, UnguwanShehu, Narayi, UnguwanMaigero, Gonin Gora and Karatudun.

She confirmed the large turnouts of owners of unregistered facilities visiting the PCN, Kaduna zonal office to regularise their registration status since the commencement of the exercise.

“The PCN is making every effort to promptly attend to them and unseal their facilities in line with laid down guidelines,” said Aruya.

The Director further stated that the PCN cannot guarantee that drugs sold in unregistered outlets are of the same integrity as specified by the manufacturers since they have not submitted to regulation that ensures maintenance of minimum standards for handling such products.

Aruyaadvised: “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 located at Plot 7/9, Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja or any of our state and Zonal offices for proper guidance.’’

She commended the press, the Nigerian Police force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, for their co-operation in this exercise and also appeals to them to continue to partner with PCN in its effort to ensure sanity in the drug distribution system.