By Tina George, Minna
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 326 pharmacies and patent and proprietary medicine vendors shops in Niger state.
The shops which are spread across the state were among 624 premises visited during a monitoring exercise by the Drug Distribution Inspection Committee of the Council.
Briefing newsmen in Minna, the Director of Inspection and Monitoring, Pharm. Anthonia Aruya said out of the 326 premises sealed, 17 were pharmacies while 309 were patent and proprietary medicine vendors shops.
She however said that not all the sealed premises were illegal outlets as some were being shut down for non-renewal of licenses and others for violating the scope of practice.
The Director disclosed that the monitoring exercise is the first phase of activities by PCN to streamline the drug distribution system in Niger state adding that further action will follow in due course.
Aruya then lamented that pharmacists and patent medicine vendors owners in Niger state engage in the sale of medicines with complete disregard for laid down guidelines put in place.
“Adherence to approved scope of practice in terms of training and approval was largely non-existent as people without requisite knowledge or skills to handle medicines in their facilities abound. Improper handling of controlled substances was observed.
“Few persons were found to be unable to communicate in English, a situation that could result in a plethora of treatment misadventures with grave public implication. “
Aruya then advised the public to source its drug needs from registered and currently licensed pharmacies and over the counter medicines from registered patent and proprietary medicine vendors shops warning that drugs sold in unregistered outlets cannot be guaranteed to be genuine.
Follow Us On WhatsApp
