The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, has sealed 618 pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Rivers and Bayelsa states.
The action is a component of its continuous enforcement campaign to control pharmacy operations and protect the public.
The Council identified operating without valid licenses, failure to renew premises registration, engaging in unauthorized clinical activities, overstocking beyond the approved Patent Medicine List, and training of unqualified apprentices, among oithers, as reasons for the closure of the affected premises.
The exercise, which began earlier this week, covered major local government areas including Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Ikwerre, and Etche in Rivers State, as well as Yenagoa and Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa State.
According to the PCN, a total of 867 premises were inspected, comprising 344 pharmacies and 523 patent medicine stores.
While 536 premises were sealed in Rivers, 82 premises were sealed in Bayelsa.
Addressing a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the PCN’s National Head of Enforcement, Suleiman Chiroma, disclosed that a total number of 618 premises were sealed in both states which comprised of 178 pharmacies and 123 patent medicine shops and 317 illegal shops for various offences while 9 premises were issued compliance directives.
According to Chiroma, five person were arrested and have been handed over to the security agencies for breaking the PCN Seal.
The PCN’s National Head of Enforcement drew attention to the fact that non-pharmacist employees in pharmacies in Rivers State had unrestricted access to controlled substances in the poison cupboard.
He urged the public to verify that pharmacy or patent medicine vendors (PPMVs) display their official licences conspicuously within their premises.
The Council further urged the people of Rivers and Bayelsa to report any suspicious activity to the PCN state offices and to exercise caution when buying medications.
