Public Health: Regulators shut 115 pharmacies, 319 medicine patent shops in Plateau

*The Council alleges the unregistered premises have become channels for the illegal distribution, sale of substances of abuse to consumers

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has declared that uncontrolled access to substance abuse as greatly contributing to security challenges in the country.

ConsumerConnect reports Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, PCN Director of Enforcement, Friday, July 8, 2022, revealed this development to reporters at a press conference held in the conference hall of the Federal Secretariat, Jos, the state capital.

Esumobi stated that the enforcement team had already sealed off 115 pharmacies and 319 patent medicine shops in Plateau State within a week of operation in the state.

He said: “Uncontrolled access to substance abuse has contributed in no small ways to the security challenges across the country.”

All licensed pharmacies are authorised to stock and sell all categories of medicines, in line with regulations stated he.

Esumobi also noted that “these unregistered premises have become channels for the illegal distribution and sale of substances of abuse to members of the public including those with criminal intentions.

“A total of 434 premises made up of115 pharmacies and 319 patent medicine shops were sealed for various offences.”