PCN shuts down 48 pharmacies, 395 patent shops in Taraba

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has shut down 443 pharmaceutical premises across nine local government areas in Taraba State due to various regulatory violations.

Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, PCN’s Head of Enforcement, announced the development during a press briefing held in Jalingo, the state capital, on Thursday.

He revealed that the enforcement exercise, which lasted four days, led to the closure of 48 pharmacies and 395 patent medicine shops. In addition, 10 other premises were issued compliance directives.

According to Dr. Chiroma, the offences committed by the affected premises include operating without proper authorization, failure to renew premises registration, engaging in clinical practices without approval, unauthorized access to controlled medicines, exceeding the scope of the approved patent medicine list, improper training of apprentices, and retailing by wholesale-licensed premises.

He emphasized that the inspection aimed to eliminate unqualified individuals from pharmaceutical practice and curb the misuse and mishandling of medicines by persons not recognized under the PCN Act.

“To ensure access to safe and effective medicine in Nigeria, the National Drug Distribution Guidelines must be strictly followed, from manufacturing or importation down to the end user,” Dr. Chiroma said.

The enforcement covered the local government areas of Sardauna, Gashaka, Kurmi, Bali, Ardo-Kola, Jalingo, Zing, Lau, and Yorro.