The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), the regulatory authority for pharmaceutical practices in the country, has sealed 443 premises in Taraba State for a range of professional and regulatory violations.
The Head of Enforcement at the council, Mr. Sulaiman Chiroma made this known during a press briefing held on Friday in Jalingo.
Chiroma revealed that of the sealed locations, 43 were pharmacies while 395 were patent medicine shops. The enforcement operation covered a total of 656 premises across 11 Local Government Areas in the state.
He outlined several offences committed by the affected outlets, including operating without registration, failing to renew licenses, conducting clinical practices without authorization, and illegally stocking controlled medicines.
Other violations included exceeding the approved list of drugs for patent medicine vendors, employing untrained apprentices, and wholesale-licensed premises engaging in retail sales.
Chiroma cautioned residents to be vigilant about where they purchase medications, emphasizing the health risks of buying from unauthorized or untrained sellers.
He urged the public to report any suspicious or unlicensed operators to the PCN’s Jalingo office, assuring that the council is fully committed to protecting public health by upholding strict regulatory standards.
He noted that licensed pharmacies can be identified by a valid license clearly displayed within the premises.
Also speaking at the briefing, Mr. Aodoaseer Gwar from the PCN Northeast Zonal Office in Bauchi reaffirmed that properly licensed pharmacies are held to high ethical standards and are prohibited from engaging in unethical practices.
He emphasized that the council’s ongoing enforcement campaign is focused on eliminating quackery and maintaining the integrity of pharmaceutical services across the country.
