The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 486 drug outlets in Niger State following a statewide enforcement exercise aimed at curbing illegal pharmaceutical practices and safeguarding public health.
According to the council, the affected premises included 69 pharmacies, 127 patent medicine shops, and 290 unlicensed outlets. One individual was also apprehended for obstructing inspectors during the operation and will face prosecution.
Speaking on the development, the PCN enforcement head explained that the exercise covered nine Local Government Areas, where a total of 672 premises were inspected. “Our focus was to ensure that pharmaceutical practice in Niger State complies with professional ethics and standards. Unfortunately, many of the outlets were operating illegally and posing risks to public health,” he said.
He added that the violations discovered ranged from operating without licenses to selling controlled drugs without authorization and engaging in unapproved clinical practices. Some outlets were also found to be training apprentices without due approval. “These practices not only undermine the profession but also endanger the lives of unsuspecting Nigerians who depend on these outlets for healthcare services,” he stressed.
The enforcement head further urged the public to be cautious when purchasing medicines. “We advise citizens to always patronize licensed premises, which can be identified by the display of valid licences. This is the only way to guarantee that the medicines they receive are safe and effective,” he explained.
Residents of Niger were commended for their cooperation during the exercise, with the council noting that nationwide enforcement remains a critical strategy in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines.
“Our goal is simple: to protect lives by ensuring that medicines are dispensed only by qualified professionals in licensed premises. We will continue to extend this enforcement across the country until full compliance is achieved,” the PCN official emphasized.
