PCN logo (file image)
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 571 illegal pharmacies and patent medicine shops in Bauchi, Bauchi State.
PCN’s Director Enforcement, Mr Stephen Esumobi, disclosed this at a news conference in Bauchi on Thursday.
He said that the PCN through its state and zonal offices in Bauchi took steps to guide owners of medicine shops on steps they needed to take to operate in line with the law.
“However, in spite of this, observation during the current enforcement exercise showed that many of these premises did not take steps to improve their storage facilities.
Also read: NDLEA arrests 288 suspects, seizes 2.7 tons of illicit drugs in Bauchi
“Other breaches committed by owners of pharmaceutical premises include operating without registration and non-renewal of premises certificates, poor documentation, patent medicine vendors stocking medicines outside the approved drug list,” he said.
The director stressed that Illegal medicine dealers were also found to engage in the sale of large quantities of substances of abuse to members of the public especially within the state capital.
“Thus aggravating the social and security challenges emanating from the illicit use of these medicines.
“Also, some patent medicine stores within Bauchi metropolis were found to be stocking large quantities of used needles and syringes which are suspected to be re-used or sold to other medicine dealers operating in the rural areas,” he said.
