Connect with us

Health

Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Shuts Down 355 Pharmacies, Patent Medicine Shops in Jigawa

Published

on

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has shut down 355 pharmacies and patent medicine shops in Jigawa State due to various infractions. Stephen Esumobi, PCN’s Director of Enforcement, announced this during a briefing with newsmen following an extensive operation in several local government areas.

“Many premises in Jigawa have been operating illegally without registration. Numerous patent medicine stores have stocked large quantities of medicines outside the approved drug lists, exceeding their authorized scope,” Esumobi explained.

He highlighted the inadequate storage conditions in most premises, which exposed the medicines to degradation, posing significant public health risks. “Most of the drugs found in these patent shops were no longer fit for human consumption,” Esumobi added.

The enforcement operation revealed that some illegal medicine dealers were selling substances of abuse to the public, exacerbating social and security issues related to illicit drug use.

The PCN’s crackdown extended to various local government areas, including Hadejia, Birnin Kudu, Gwaram, Ringim, Taura, Birniwa, Guri, Malam Madori, Jahun, Kiyawa, Garki, Gumel, Dutse, Kazaure, Roni, Gagarawa, Buji, Kafin Hausa, Kaugama, and Auyo.

The closures were due to a range of violations, such as unauthorized sale of controlled substances, wholesale premises engaging in retail sales, and selling medicines without proper documentation. Additionally, some establishments were sealed for operating without registration with the council, maintaining poor storage facilities, and stocking ethical products without the supervision of a qualified pharmacist.

Further compounding the issue, two individuals were arrested for breaking the council’s seals and obstructing inspectors from performing their lawful duties.

Esumobi stressed the importance of regulatory compliance to ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines available to the public. He urged all medicine dealers in the state to adhere strictly to the guidelines set by the PCN to avoid future sanctions.

“The PCN is committed to ensuring that all pharmaceutical practices within the country meet the required standards to safeguard public health,” Esumobi concluded.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Health

FG Approves $1.7 Billion for Healthcare Reforms

Published

on

By

By Adenike Lawal

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a $1.7 billion investment to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system through two major initiatives: the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity – Governance (HOPE-GOVERNANCE) project and the Primary Health Care Provision Strengthening (HOPE-PHC) project.

The approval was announced during a recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The HOPE-PHC project aims to improve access to essential healthcare services while enhancing the resilience of health systems nationwide.

Its primary goal is to ensure quality healthcare is accessible to all Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the HOPE-GOVERNANCE project focuses on healthcare financing reforms, improving transparency and accountability, and strengthening human resource management at the federal, state, and local levels.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will oversee the HOPE-PHC project, while the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning will implement the HOPE-GOVERNANCE project.

These initiatives are expected to drive significant improvements in healthcare service delivery across the country.

Continue Reading

Health

FCTA Seals Illegal Hospital in Kuje Over Patient Deaths

Published

on

By Alexis Uchendu

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has shut down Dada’s Clinic & Maternity Limited in Kapwa, Gaube community, Kuje Area Council, over illegal operations and alleged patient deaths.

The closure, carried out by the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee under Ahmadu Abubakar, Director of the Medical and Diagnostics Department, followed reports of fatalities and unsafe medical practices.

The facility was sealed on Sunday, and a staff member, Mr. Sabiu, who falsely posed as a health worker, was arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation.

According to a statement from the FCTA, issued via the media aide of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the clinic was unregistered and operated in a rented apartment unfit for healthcare services. It allegedly disguised its operations as a medical outreach program.

The statement further revealed that a community elder recently died after undergoing a hernia operation at the clinic, with additional reports of patients requiring emergency care elsewhere after surviving unsafe procedures.

The FCT Minister investigations his administration’s zero tolerance for illegal health facilities, stressing the need for safe and regulated healthcare services.

An investigation into the clinic’s activities is ongoing.

Continue Reading

Abuja Reports

FG to Slash Dialysis Costs by 80% at FMC Abuja

Published

on

By Patrick Idowu 

In a major relief for kidney disease patients, the Federal Government has announced an 80% subsidy on dialysis treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new clinic service building and ward centre at the hospital.

He emphasized that the initiative aims to make dialysis more accessible and affordable, aligning with the government’s broader healthcare reforms.

“This subsidy program, launched in 2024, is already in place in 10 selected federal tertiary health institutions, and FMC Jabi is now a strong candidate to join,” Salako stated.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare, a key pillar of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII), which supports President Bola Tinubu’s vision of healthcare as a fundamental right.

Salako further highlighted the administration’s investments in strengthening tertiary healthcare, reducing the need for Nigerians to seek critical medical procedures, such as kidney transplants, abroad.

Meanwhile, FMC Abuja’s Chief Medical Director, Saad Ahmed, revealed that the newly inaugurated facility will enhance healthcare delivery, housing a dialysis and transplantation centre, pathology laboratories, and additional patient wards to ease hospital congestion.

He also announced the acquisition of a neurosurgical operating microscope to improve brain surgery services.

The subsidy initiative marks a significant step toward easing the financial burden of chronic kidney disease patients while bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare capacity.

Continue Reading

Trending