PCN shuts Kano drug market, seals 797 outlets

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has closed the illegal drug cluster at Dalan-Gyada, along Katsina Road in Kano, and sealed 797 medicine outlets during a four-day enforcement operation.

The council said the affected premises were shut for violating regulatory requirements, while medicines sold at the popular drug market could not be guaranteed to meet acceptable standards of quality, safety and efficacy.

The PCN Registrar, Ibrahim Ahmed, disclosed this on Friday in Kano while briefing journalists after the operation. He was represented by the council’s Head of Enforcement, Suleiman Chiroma.

Ahmed said the enforcement team inspected 1,153 premises, comprising 16 pharmacies, 700 patent medicine stores and 437 illegal outlets.

He said the operation resulted in the sealing of eight pharmacies, 352 patent medicine stores and all 437 illegal outlets. Six compliance directives were also issued.

“The Council also shut down the illegal drug cluster at Dalan-Gyada, Katsina Road,” he said.

“I wish to bring to the attention of the good people of Kano State that the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines sold at the Dalan-Gyada illegal drug cluster cannot be guaranteed.”

According to the registrar, illegal premises accounted for 38 per cent of the facilities sealed during the exercise.

He added that only 50 per cent of the pharmacies inspected were found to be fully compliant with regulatory standards, underscoring the need for more consistent monitoring of licensed operators.

The operation, described as the second phase of the council’s enforcement exercise in Kano, covered Dalan-Gyada and 28 local government areas outside the metropolis.

The areas visited included Bichi, Tsanyawa, Gwarzo, Wudil, Gaya, Ajingi, Kiru, Tudun Wada, Ungogo, Bebeji, Garun Mallam, Kura, Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa, Takai, Rimin Gado, Bagwai, Shanono, Kabo, Gezawa, Gabasawa, Dambatta, Makoda, Minjibir, Warawa, Rano, Kibiya and Bunkure.

Chiroma said the exercise also revealed a serious shortage of pharmaceutical services in the state, with pharmacies making up just 1.37 per cent of the premises inspected.

He warned that the council would continue to enforce its regulations and maintain strict supervision over facilities involved in the handling, storage and dispensing of medicines.

“Breach of any extant regulation will be met with prompt and appropriate enforcement action by the Council,” he said.

The council advised residents to buy medicines only from premises licensed by the PCN, while commending the people of Kano for their cooperation during the enforcement operation.