PSN shutdown 296 patent medicine stores, 15 Pharmacies in kogi .
Godswill Ojodomo
No fewer than two hundred and ninety six patent medicine stores and fifteen pharmaceutical shops have been shutdown by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) for non adherence to guidelines and regulations in Kogi.
Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, Director and Head of Enforcement Department, PCN, disclosed this at a press conference on Sunday in Lokoja.
Esumobi noted that the PCN enforcement team had been in Kogi for some days as part of efforts to streamline the drug distribution system.
”It was observed that so many premises in Kogi state still operate in breach of regulations.
”These premises operate without registration with PCN while others have failed to renew their premises licence.
”At the end of the
exercise, a total of 390 premises were visited, which comprises 342 Patent Medicines’ Shops (PMS) and 48 Pharmacies.
”A total of 311 premises were sealed, comprising 15 pharmacies and 296 patent medicines shops.
”A total of two compliance directives were issued while three patent medicine vendors were arrested for breaking PCN seals,” Esumobi said
He stressed that the premises were sealed for operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates, unauthorized sale of performance enhancing drugs and medicines of abuse, poor access control to the Poison Cupboards, among others.
He emphasised that the PCN guidelines and regulations were designed to ensure that stakeholders continue to meet the required standards of practice in their operations in line with global best practices.
He assured that the PCN would step up its enforcement activities to ensure that medicines remain safe, effective and of good quality as they move from one level of the distribution chain to another until they get to the consumers.
”All licensed premises are required to renew their licences on or before 31st January every year and it is an offence for any premises to operate without registration or renewal of their premises certificates,” he said
Esumobi advised the public to source all drug needs from registered and currently licensed pharmacies and Over- the- Counter medicines from registered Patent Medicine shops.
He thanked the State Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the media for their continuous collaboration with the PCN.
