In an effort to eradicate unauthorised medicine store in Nigeria, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed no fewer than 123 drug stores in various parts of Osun State for engaging in illegal sale of medicines.

The Director of Inspection and Monitoring Department of PCN, Mrs Anthonia Aruya, who made this known in Osogbo, explained  that the development was part of the effort aimed at ensuring consumption of effective and quality drugs in the country.

“the pharmaceutical activities carried out in the sealed drugstores were not in line with PCN guidelines, quality and safety of medicines could not be guaranteed.

 “Our office received reports of the activities of unregistered premises, which engaged in the illegal sale of medicines in Osun State, hence, our resolve to crack down on these shops, with a view to safeguarding the people,” she said.

She lamented that some of the registered premises were selling beyond their approved lists or keeping and stocking highly ethical and controlled substances in a manner that violated the laid down regulations to the detriment of the citizenry.

While explaining that the trend could have negative effect on the health of the people if allowed to continue, Aruya said “at the end of the exercise, a total number of 142 premises were visited while 123 premises were sealed which comprise of 13 pharmacies, 109 patent medicine shops 9 chemist shops for offences ranging from unauthorised sale of medicine and operating without the supervision of a pharmacist, among others.”

She stressed that one of the main goals of the PCN was to ensure rational distribution of medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality, explaining that in carrying out this mandate, “PCN has established structures such as the Pharmaceutical Inspection Committee (PIC) in all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”