The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) sealed 443 pharmaceutical premises in Taraba State for various violations, as part of a four-day enforcement operation targeting illegal drug outlets and unqualified vendors. According to Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, PCN’s Head of Enforcement, the operation covered nine to eleven local government areas, including Sardauna, Gashaka, Kurmi, Bali, Ardo-Kola, Jalingo, Zing, Lau, and Yorro. Of the 656 premises inspected, 43 to 48 were pharmacies, and 395 were patent medicine shops, with 10 premises issued compliance directives.
Violations included:
- Operating without registration or valid licenses
- Non-renewal of premises registration
- Unauthorized clinical practices
- Illegal access to controlled medicines
- Stocking beyond the approved patent medicine list
- Improper training of apprentices
- Retailing by wholesale-only licensed premises
The PCN emphasized the importance of adhering to the National Drug Distribution Guidelines to ensure safe and effective medicine distribution. Dr. Chiroma urged the public to report suspected illegal operators to the PCN office in Jalingo and advised checking for valid licenses displayed prominently in pharmacies to identify legitimate outlets. The council remains committed to eliminating quackery and ensuring public health safety through strict enforcement of professional standards.
