PCN raises concern over proliferation of quacks, unlicensed pharmacies in Kano

Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) yesterday raised the alarm over the rise of quacks and uncertified pharmacies dominating open medicine stores in Kano, a development the council said was posing imminent threat to human health safety.

Besides, the pharmaceutical regulator lamented the absence of recourse to regulations and standard, and cultivated ignorance of basic practice by the Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors (PPMVs) in the state.

PCN registrar, Pharm. Elijah Mohammed raised the concern at a press conference to round up the council’s national enforcement exercise in Kano, where over 677 outlets were found wanting.

The registrar disclosed that in fulfillment of its mandate, PCN was embarking on enforcement activities nationwide to sanitise the distribution value chain towards the provision of quality pharmaceutical services.

He, however, indicated that a high rate of illiterate patent medicines owners dispensing would have adverse effect on health safety of unsuspected patients who patronised them regularly.

Represented by Pharm (Mrs) Anthonia Aruya, the registrar stressed that a total of 996 premises were visited during the exercise, including 65 pharmacies and 931 PPMV shops, out of which 677 premises were locked for failure to renew their operating license as required by the law establishing the council.

On what action would PCN would take against those operating medicine stores without requisite knowledge, the registrar said, “In PCN, we are concerned more with corrective and not punitive. Those found operating without requirement will be advised on how to correct their activities. We would not want to wreck business activities just like that and that is why we have set up two committees, that will look into the challenges and advise those involved.”