PCN seals off 100 ‘illegal’ medicine shops in Gombe

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) says it has sealed off 100 pharmaceutical stores and arrested seven vendors for various regulatory violations during an operation in Gombe State.

PCN Head of Enforcement, Dr Suleiman Chiroma, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Gombe.

He said out of total 144 premises visited, 100 were found to be non-compliant and were sealed for various offences which include, non-renewal of license, operating illegal premises, clinical practice among others.

Dr Chiroma explained that the seven arrested vendors had unlawfully broken the official PCN seals placed on their respective premises, and would be subjected to thorough investigation and prosecution.

He added that the council would take all necessary measures to implement the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, which he said are aimed at sanitising the drug distribution system and curbing the sale of unregulated and substandard medicines.

He also urged pharmacy operators in the state to adhere strictly to regulatory standards by ensuring proper licensing and compliance with pharmaceutical laws to avoid legal consequences.

While reaffirming PCN’s commitment to ensure that practitioners are complying with pharmaceutical regulations in Nigeria, Chiroma warned that the council will not fold its arms to allow reckless attitude by unpatriotic medicine sellers.