The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has taken serious action and shut down 571 pharmacies and medicine shops in Bauchi State. This big move came after a major operation to enforce the rules.
During a press conference, Pharm Stephen Esumobi, who is the Director of Enforcement at the PCN, explained what happened. The operation looked at 762 places in total. This included 88 pharmacies, 284 patent medicine shops, and 390 shops selling medicines illegally.
Out of these, 37 pharmacies, 144 patent medicine shops, and all 390 illegal shops were found to be breaking the rules. Because of this, they were all closed down.
The PCN’s crackdown covered 10 local government areas: Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa, Darazo, Ganjuwa, Alkaleri, Dambam, Kirfi, Ningi, Toro, and Dass.
Esumobi said it is very important to keep medicines safe, effective, and of good quality. This means they need to be stored properly, with controlled temperature and humidity. When these standards are not met, it can cause big problems like medicines not working properly or even deaths that could have been avoided.
The PCN had already warned these businesses and given them guidelines to follow, but many did not follow the rules.
Esumobi pointed out other problems too. Some businesses were operating without proper registration, not renewing their certificates, not keeping proper records, selling medicines not on the approved list, offering medical services they shouldn’t, and some were even running retail operations when they should have been wholesale.
The PCN is also worried about a rising problem of substance abuse in the state, which is making local social and security issues worse. The council warned that breaking the rules can lead to serious punishments. Under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022, offenders could face fines of up to ₦2 million or have their licenses taken away.
Esumobi made it clear that the PCN’s offices in the state and the zonal offices will keep a close watch to make sure all pharmaceutical businesses follow the rules.
