The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 67 drug outlets in Lagos State over regulatory breaches including illegal operations, improper drug storage, and unsafe pharmaceutical practices.
The enforcement action, conducted by the PCN’s Lagos Zonal Office between Monday and Tuesday, covered major areas such as Mushin, Oshodi, Bariga, Shomolu, Gbagada, Ifako, Okokomaiko, and Satellite Town.
Speaking during a press briefing, Zonal Director Dr. Taiwo Filusi revealed that out of 89 pharmaceutical premises inspected, 67 were shut down. These included 48 unregistered medicine shops, 17 non-compliant pharmacies, and two patent medicine vendors. Additionally, 11 outlets received compliance directives for minor infractions.
Dr. Filusi noted that some outlets were selling drugs outside their approved category, while others were operating as wholesalers despite being licensed for retail — posing risks to public health.
Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Babayemi Oyekunle, said the enforcement signals a strong message that regulatory compliance is critical to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians. “These actions go beyond policy—they are about protecting lives,” he said.
In a related development, the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has reiterated its commitment to reducing the country’s drug importation rate, which currently stands at 70 percent.
Speaking ahead of its 28th annual national conference, NAIP National Chairman Kenneth Onuegbu said the event—scheduled for June 23–27, 2025, in Ikeja—will focus on expanding local pharmaceutical production through innovation and strategic industry transformation. Themed “Scale, Innovation, and Transformation of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry (SIT 2025),” the conference is expected to bring together key stakeholders from across the healthcare value chain.
PCN has urged the public to always verify the registration status of drug outlets and avoid patronizing unlicensed vendors, in order to ensure access to safe, quality-assured medicines.
