The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has shut down 618 pharmaceutical premises, including patent medicine shops and unauthorized outlets, during a recent enforcement operation in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Five individuals were also arrested for allegedly breaching regulations, including the unlawful handling of controlled drugs and operating without proper registration.
Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, PCN’s Head of Enforcement, disclosed the figures during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He said the operation, which lasted one week, was part of the council’s efforts to enforce regulatory compliance and curb the chaotic distribution of medicines across the country.
“In total, we visited 867 premises across both states—344 were pharmacies and 523 were patent medicine stores,” Chiroma said. “Of those, 178 pharmacies, 123 patent medicine vendors, and 317 illegal shops were sealed for various infractions. Additionally, nine premises received compliance directives.”
The enforcement team covered four local government areas in Rivers—Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Ikwerre, and Etche—and two in Bayelsa—Yenagoa and Southern Ijaw.
Chiroma explained that the closures followed findings of serious violations, including operation without valid registration, clinical practices by unlicensed persons, and unauthorized access to restricted drugs.
“We observed a worrying trend in Rivers State where non-pharmacist staff had unfettered access to controlled medicines in poison cupboards,” he noted.
“This is a gross violation of professional ethics and poses serious public health and security risks.”
The PCN official also raised concerns about unregistered premises claiming legitimacy simply because payments had been made, even when the registration process was incomplete.
“Making a payment does not equal registration. Every pharmacist or medicine vendor must complete the registration process and abide by ethical and professional standards,” Chiroma cautioned.
He urged the public to verify the authenticity of medicine outlets by checking for clearly displayed PCN-issued licences.
“The public should be vigilant and report any suspicious pharmaceutical activities to PCN state offices. Safe access to quality medicines begins with patronising licensed facilities,” he advised.
Chiroma confirmed that the five suspects arrested for violating PCN’s sealing orders have been handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
He reiterated that the council is determined to ensure compliance with the PCN Establishment Act of 2022, and that enforcement exercises will continue across the country.
“Our goal is to protect Nigerians from the dangers of substandard and falsified medicines. Ensuring professional conduct and a clean pharmaceutical environment is non-negotiable,” he added.
