Govt seals 29 illegal patent medicine stores

Lagos State government through its Taskforce on Fake, Counterfeit and Unwholesome Processed Foods has sealed no fewer than 29 illegal Patent Medicine stores.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi explained that the 29 shops were sealed off for various offences contrary to the provisions of the law on the operation of Pharmacies and Patent Medicine stores in Lagos State.

Osunkiyesi noted that the latest closure was coming on the heels of the government’s renewed mandate to the Taskforce to comb all nooks and crannies of the   state for illegal patent medicine and pharmaceutical stores’ operators.

“The closure is part of the government’s efforts at ridding the state of fake, substandard and illegal drugs’ operators and outlets as well as ensuring high drug quality through sanitation and streamlining of drug distribution system in the state,” he said.

The PS, who also added that the sealing of fake pharmaceutical premises was in accordance with the provision of Chapter C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act of 1999, Number 25.

According to her, the shops were sealed off for offences ranging from sales of drugs without license from the regulatory authority; to failure or refusal to relocate from a market area and adherence to the mandated distance between a patent medicine shop and market place as stipulated by the law; and sales of counterfeit and fake drugs amongst others.

The affected Patent Medicine Stores and unregistered premises include Goodnews Store located at 8, Badore Road, Folarin Bus-stop, Ajah; Jonadab Nwaogwugwu Chemist, Seyi-Omogwa Street, Lakowe Phase2, Lekki; and BL Supermarket, Yomade Shopping Mall, Awoyaya Bus-stop, Lekki.

Others were: Tela Rose Pharmacy, 13 Shonibare S. Complex, Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki; Omata Chemist, 2 Seyi Omogwa Street, Lakowe Phase2, Lekki; and Uzoma Shop, Bale Palace, Abijo town, Lekki; and Chidominion Stores, Olasuru Shopping Plaza, Haruna Bus-stop, Sangotedo, Lekki, Ajah.

Also affected were Chinkem Pharmaceutical Ltd., Sangotedo, Lekki, Ajah; Shade Chemist, 2, David Oladapo Street, Ajah; Big Friend Merchant Store, Sangotedo Ajah; and Kike Medicine Stores, Oke-Imole Street, Sangotedo, Ajah.