PCN Seals 67 Illegal Drug Outlets In Lagos

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 67 pharmaceutical outlets across Lagos State for operating illegally and violating critical public health and safety standards.

The enforcement exercise, carried out between June 16 and 17, 2025, targeted unregistered premises, quack operators, and medicine outlets failing to meet minimum regulatory requirements.

Director of the PCN Lagos Zonal Office, Dr. Taiwo Filusi, who disclosed this at a press conference, in Lagos, on Wednesday, said the crackdown was aimed at sanitising the state’s pharmaceutical space and protecting Nigerians from the dangers of substandard and improperly dispensed medicines.

According to Filusi, a total of 89 premises were inspected in areas including Mushin, Oshodi, Bariga, Shomolu, Gbagada, Oworoshoki, Ifako, Pedro, Amuwo, Mazamaza, Satellite Town, Afromedia, Iyana Iba, and Okokomaiko.

Out of these, he said 67 outlets were sealed, comprising 48 illegal medicine shops, 17 pharmacies, and 2 patent medicine vendors, while 11 others were issued compliance directives for minor infractions.

“The PCN remains committed to safeguarding public health by ensuring that medicines are handled only by qualified professionals, in properly registered and regulated environments.

“We observed various dangerous trends, such as the absence of qualified personnel, improper storage, lack of documentation, and unauthorised access to controlled drugs,” Filusi said.

The enforcement team found medicines exposed to extreme heat and humidity, endangering their efficacy and potentially turning life-saving drugs into toxic substances.

In some cases, he said, wholesale premises were retailing drugs in violation of licensing conditions, while apprentices operated outlets without supervision.

Registrar of the PCN, Pharm Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, emphasised in a statement that such operations undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain and put countless lives at risk.

He called on all medicine dealers to regularise their operations and warned that individuals who tamper with PCN seals will face legal consequences.

The PCN also announced that it will continue to work with law enforcement agencies, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant bodies to rid the system of quackery and illegal drug distribution.

The PCN Director therefore urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious pharmaceutical activities, while reiterating that ongoing inspections will continue across the country, assuring that only compliant premises will be allowed to operate.

“The health and safety of Nigerians remain our top priority. No effort will be spared in our mission to rid the drug distribution chain of harmful elements and ensure that every medicine in circulation is safe, effective, and professionally handled,” Filusi assured.

In goodwill messages, stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry threw their weight behind the exercise.

Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State Chapter, Babayemi Oyekunle, described the enforcement as a bold step toward rebuilding public trust in the healthcare system.

“The closure of these illegal premises is not just an administrative action, it is a public health imperative. We must protect citizens from dangerous medications and uphold the sanctity of our profession,” Oyekunle said.

Similarly, chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State branch, Pharm. Tolulope Ajayi, noted that illegal outlets provide a gateway to fake, unwholesome, and sometimes poisonous products.

“Until the right medicine is used for the right patient, at the right time, in the right dose, under the guidance of a trained professional, treatment outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

“This operation will help avert treatment failures, curb antimicrobial resistance, and strengthen public health systems,” Ajayi stated.