The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has taken decisive action in Gombe State, sealing approximately 751 medicine stores as part of its ongoing efforts to uphold standards and protect public health. Mr. Stephen Esumobifsi, Director of Enforcement, revealed this development to the press in Gombe on Thursday.
The sealed establishments comprise 39 pharmacies, 128 patent medicine shops, and 584 illegal medicine outlets. This stringent enforcement initiative aims to combat the proliferation of counterfeit products within the pharmaceutical sector.
During the five-day enforcement operation, numerous irregularities were uncovered, including the sale of medicines in open drug markets, operation without PCN registration, inadequate documentation, and the stocking of ethical products without pharmacist supervision. These violations pose significant risks to public health, as medicines sold in unregulated environments may have degraded active ingredients, rendering them unsafe for consumption.
PCN had previously engaged stakeholders, including medicine dealers in Gombe’s open drug market, urging compliance with regulations and relocation to appropriate locations. However, failure to adhere to these directives necessitated the enforcement actions carried out by the council.
