PCN Seals 66 Pharmacies, 313 Patent Medicine Shops In Rivers

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed no fewer than 66 pharmacies as well as 313 patent medicine shops in Port Harcourt metropolis, comprising of Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas of Rivers State.

The director and head of Enforcement Department, PCN, Stephen Esumobi, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, said a total of nine compliance directives were also issued.

Esumobi stated that most of the premises were sealed for offences ranging from operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates, unauthorized sale of medicines of abuse, poor access control to the poison cupboards and many more.

He said: “In spite of the efforts of the council in Rivers State, so many patent medicine shop owners and other stakeholders have chosen to operate in total disregard for public safety.

“Most patent vendors are not registered with PCN and engage in activities far beyond their scope, thereby endangering public health. In the light of this, it became necessary for national enforcement team to visit the state.

“The national enforcement team have been in the state since the beginning of the week and at the end of the exercise, a total of 543 premises were visited. This comprises of 386 patent medicine shops and 157 pharmacies.

“A total of 379 premises were sealed comprising of 66 pharmacies and 313 patent medicine shops. A total of nine compliance directives were issued.

“Most of the premises were sealed for offences which include operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates, unauthorized sale of medicines of abuse, poor access control to the poison cupboards, poor storage facilities, stocking and sale of prescription and other ethical products by patent medicine vendors, amongst others.”