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Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 301 medicine shops dealing in illicit drug in Ondo State, affirming its resolve to stamp out persons violating the National Drug Distribution guidelines.
The PCN Director of Enforcement, Pharm. Stephen Esumobi said this during a press conference in Akure, yesterday, to unveil the level of progress made in the fight against illicit drugs distribution in the country.
Esumobi disclosed that the enforcement was in line with the new National Drug Distribution guidelines, which states that medicine must remain safe, effective and of good quality, as they move from the producers to consumers.
“One of the identified weaknesses in the distribution chain is the proliferation of illegal medicine shops. Most of these shops do not have appropriate storage facilities leading to the deterioration of medicines, thereby making them unsuitable for human consumption.
“These illegal outlets do not have pharmacists to handle the ethical medicines in their premises. This contributes immensely to irrational dispensing of medicines, resulting in treatment failures and untoward effects on patients and other unsuspecting members of the public who patronise them.”
The Director added that the activities of the illegal outlets seem to encourage the abuse and misuse of controlled medicines, listing the numerous attendant negative social and security implications to the society.
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