1 The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed off 311 premises, including 15 pharmacies and 296 Patent Medicine Stores (PMS) for breaching its guidelines and regulations in Kogi.
Mister Stephen EsumobiDirector and Head of the Compliance Department, PCN, made it known at a press conference on Sunday in Lokoja.
two Esumobi noted that the CPN control team had been in Kogi for a few days as part of efforts to optimize the drug distribution system.
3 ”It was noted that many facilities in Kogi are still operating in violation of regulations.
4 They operate without registration with PCN, while others have not renewed their establishment license.
5 ”At the end of the year, a total of 390 establishments were visited, made up of 342 PMS and 48 Pharmacies.
6 ”A total of 311 stores were sealed, made up of 15 pharmacies and 296 patent drug stores.
7 “Two enforcement directives were issued, while three vendors of patent medicines were arrested for breaking PCN seals,” Esumobi said.
He highlighted that the premises were sealed for operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates, unauthorized sale of performance-enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse, poor access control to the Poison Cabinets, among others.
8 He emphasized that PCN’s guidelines and regulations were designed to ensure that stakeholders continue to meet required standards of practice in their operations in line with global best practice.
9 He assured that the PCN will intensify its enforcement activities to ensure that medicines remain safe, effective and of good quality as they move from one level of the distribution chain to another until they reach consumers.
10 “All licensed facilities must renew their licenses on or before January 31 of each year and it is a crime for any facility to operate without registration or renewal of their facility certificates,” he said.
eleven Esumobi advised the public to obtain all drug needs from registered and currently licensed pharmacies and over-the-counter drugs from registered proprietary drug stores.
12 He thanked the State Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Civil Defense and Security Corps (NSCDC) Nigerian Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and to the media for their continued collaboration with the PCN.
The Nigerian News Agency reports that PCN is the federal government body charged with the responsibility of regulating the education, training and practice of pharmacy in all its aspects and ramifications.
News sourceCredit: YAYA
