Ogun: PCN Shuts 342 Pharmacy Outlets, Arrests One

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) says it has sealed 342 pharmacy and patent medicine outlets, while it arrested one person in Ogun.

Stephen Esumobi, the Director of Enforcement disclosed this while addressing journalists on Friday in Abeokuta.

According to Esumobi, the exercise was part of the council’s effort to sanitise the drug distribution system in the country.

Esumobi said the agency visited 646 premises out of which 342 were sealed for offences ranging from operating without registration or renewal of premises certificate and poor storage conditions among others.

Others were sealed off due to offences such as unauthorised substance abuse sales, operating without employing a superintendent pharmacist, poor sanitary conditions and unauthorised training of apprentices.

Esumobi added that one person was arrested for fraudulently collecting stakeholders' money for premises registration and renewal.

“At the end of the exercise, a total of 646 premises were visited; these comprised 533 patent medicine shops and 113 pharmacies.

“A total of 342 premises were sealed, comprising 316 patent medicine shops and 26 pharmacies.

“Also, 19 compliance directives were issued while one person was arrested for fraudulently collecting money meant for premises registration,” he said.

He further revealed that the arrested suspect took advantage of unsuspecting stakeholders while collecting money from them and generating fake remittals for them, adding that he would be charged to court on Monday.

He, therefore, advised the public to get all their drug needs from registered and currently licensed pharmacies and patent medicine shops.