The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 486 pharmaceutical premises in Niger State for various regulatory infractions, following a large-scale enforcement exercise across nine Local Government Areas.
Dr. Suleiman Ciroma, Head of Enforcement at the PCN Headquarters, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the council’s North Central Zonal Office in Minna.
According to him, the sealed facilities included 69 pharmacies, 127 patent medicine shops, and 290 unlicensed outlets. He added that one individual was arrested for allegedly obstructing inspectors during the operation and would face prosecution.
In total, 672 premises comprising 136 pharmacies and 536 patent medicine shops were inspected in Agaie, Bida, Tafa, Chanchaga, Lapai, Paikoro, Bosso, Suleja, and Gurara LGAs.
Ciroma explained that the exercise focused on compliance with professional ethics, personnel standards, premises registration, and pharmaceutical best practices. The inspection uncovered multiple breaches, including illegal operations of unlicensed outlets, unauthorized clinical practice, sale of controlled drugs without approval, and the unregulated training of apprentices.
“The inspection revealed widespread non-compliance with regulations and illegal practices that compromise public health. We urge Nigerians to always patronise licensed pharmaceutical outlets, which can be identified by the display of current PCN licences,” Ciroma said.
He commended residents of Niger State for their cooperation and stressed that the council’s nationwide enforcement drive is aimed at curbing the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines while ensuring safe, quality healthcare delivery.
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