PCN Shuts 383 Pharmaceutical Outlets In Ogun Over Regulatory Violations

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 383 pharmaceutical premises across Ogun State after uncovering multiple regulatory violations during a four-day enforcement exercise conducted in 11 local government areas.

Presenting the outcome of the operation on Friday in Abeokuta on behalf of the council’s registrar, Ibrahim Ahmed, the Head of Enforcement, Suleiman Chiroma, said enforcement teams inspected premises in Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Obafemi-Owode, Ifo, Ado-Odo/Ota, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ikenne, Ijebu North-East and Ewekoro LGAs.

Chiroma disclosed that officers visited 738 premises, made up of 277 pharmacies, 288 patent medicine stores and 173 unregistered or illegal medicine outlets.

Following the inspection, 383 premises were sealed for various infractions, including 123 pharmacies, 87 patent medicine stores and all 173 illegal outlets. The council also issued three compliance directives.

“During the four-day operation, a total of 738 premises were visited, comprising 277 pharmacies, 288 patent medicine stores, and 173 unregistered/illegal outlets.

“At the end of the exercise, 383 premises were sealed for various offences. This comprised 123 pharmacies, 87 patent medicine stores, and 173 illegal outlets,” he said.

He said the enforcement exercise forms part of efforts to advance the federal government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda by promoting access to medicines that are safe, effective, affordable and quality-assured.

Chiroma warned that allowing unqualified individuals to dispense medicines, as well as maintaining poor storage conditions, could result in treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance and preventable deaths.

Providing further details, he said nearly one in every four premises inspected 23 per cent was operating illegally. He noted that most of the illegal facilities were found outside Abeokuta metropolis, underscoring the need to strengthen regulatory oversight in rural communities.

He added that illegal medicine outlets accounted for 45 per cent of all the premises sealed during the operation, while just 56 per cent of licensed pharmacies met the council’s regulatory standards.

According to him, compliance was higher among patent medicine stores, with 70 per cent meeting regulatory requirements, while every illegal outlet identified during the exercise was shut down in line with existing laws.

Chiroma identified the major violations recorded during the exercise as operating without valid PCN licences, poor storage of medicines, unauthorised access to controlled medicines, obstructing enforcement officers and training apprentices contrary to regulations.

He also cited cooking within pharmaceutical premises as one of the offences, describing the practice as a serious public health concern capable of encouraging the diversion of controlled medicines into criminal networks.

The enforcement chief said the council would continue routine monitoring and strict enforcement to improve compliance with pharmaceutical regulations and preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s medicine distribution system.

He urged members of the public to buy medicines only from PCN-licensed premises and to confirm the authenticity of such outlets by checking for the display of current council licences.

“All premises engaged in the handling, storage, and dispensing of medicines will be subjected to stringent and continuous regulatory review. Violations of extant regulations shall be met with prompt and firm enforcement measures by the council,” he said.

Chiroma reaffirmed the council’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerians have access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines nationwide.