The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 724 pharmaceutical premises across 10 local government areas of Kwara State as part of a major enforcement operation aimed at eliminating illegal drug outlets and improving public health standards.
The four-day exercise covered Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Asa, Offa, Ifelodun, Oyun, Moro, Irepodun, and Edu local government areas.
Speaking on the outcome of the operation, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed, represented by the council's Head of Enforcement, Dr. Suleiman Ciroma, disclosed that a total of 1,238 pharmaceutical premises were inspected.
The inspected facilities comprised 167 pharmacies, 957 patent and proprietary medicine stores, and 114 illegal medicine outlets.
According to the council, 724 premises were shut down for various regulatory infractions. The affected outlets include 68 pharmacies, 542 patent medicine stores, and all 114 illegal medicine outlets identified during the exercise.
The PCN said several operators were also issued compliance directives to address identified deficiencies and align with regulatory requirements.
Major Violations Discovered
Among the offences uncovered during the inspection were operating without a valid PCN licence, poor storage of medicines, unauthorized handling of controlled drugs, illegal apprenticeship practices, and unhygienic activities such as cooking within medicine premises.
The council noted that such violations pose serious risks to public health and undermine efforts to ensure safe access to quality medicines.
Health experts have repeatedly warned that improper storage of medicines can reduce their effectiveness, contribute to antimicrobial resistance, cause treatment failures, and in severe cases lead to preventable deaths.
The PCN also expressed concern over the unauthorized distribution of certain medications, warning that unrestricted access to controlled substances could create broader security and public safety challenges.
Compliance Improving, But Challenges Remain
Despite the large number of closures, the council observed that only about nine percent of the premises inspected were operating completely outside regulatory approval, an indication that compliance levels may be gradually improving within the state.
However, the regulatory body stressed that it would continue to enforce pharmaceutical laws and sanction operators whose activities threaten public health.
The council advised Nigerians to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and approved medicine outlets displaying valid Pharmacy Council of Nigeria certificates.
The latest crackdown forms part of ongoing efforts to combat fake medicines, unsafe healthcare practices, and the proliferation of unregistered drug outlets across the country.
Authorities say the operation sends a strong message that violations of pharmaceutical regulations will not be tolerated as efforts continue to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.