Council Seals 130 Pharmacies In Nasarawa

The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 130 pharmaceutical premises in Nasarawa State due to non-compliance with regulatory requirements, signaling intensified efforts to safeguard public health and ensure safe drug distribution nationwide.

Dr Suleiman Chiroma, Head of Enforcement at PCN, disclosed this at a press conference on Thursday in Karu Local Government Area, stating the action followed a recent surveillance and enforcement exercise across the state.

The enforcement aligns with PCN’s mandate to implement the National Drugs Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), which ensure medicines pass through authorised channels while maintaining storage conditions that preserve drug quality, potency, and therapeutic efficacy.

“The NDDG guarantees drugs reach end users safely while regulating pharmaceutical operators, ensuring optimal storage, qualified personnel, and adherence to laws. These measures combat substandard, falsified, or improperly handled medicinal products nationwide,” Chiroma explained.

The inspection exercise, conducted from March 30 to April 1, uncovered widespread violations, including operating unlicensed premises, unauthorised access to poison cupboards, engaging in clinical practice, and failing to produce licences or registration evidence.

“During the three-day operation, PCN officials inspected 272 premises: 35 wholesalers, 86 community pharmacies, 118 patent medicine stores, and 32 unlicensed facilities, identifying extensive non-compliance across multiple categories of pharmaceutical practice.

“As a result, 130 premises were sealed, including 16 wholesalers, 31 community pharmacies, 51 patent medicine stores, and all 32 unlicensed premises. Seven compliance directives were issued, and one pharmacist was arrested for obstruction.”

Chiroma revealed that Karu accounted for 70 per cent of affected premises, highlighting that many registered pharmacists were absent, leaving operations to attendants with limited pharmaceutical knowledge, raising concerns about medication safety.

“Inspections showed 70 per cent of community pharmacies lacked pharmacists, while 61 per cent failed to display licences, and patent medicine vendors often exceeded licensure scopes, all practices that undermine quality pharmaceutical care,” he stressed.

He assured the public that PCN would continue rigorous inspections to guarantee medicines were dispensed by qualified personnel in approved, licensed premises, enhancing patient safety, and reducing risks associated with substandard pharmaceutical services.

The council urged citizens to purchase drugs only from registered premises that had undergone inspections and prominently displayed licences, ensuring accountability, regulatory compliance, and access to safe, effective medications across the state.

PCN, led by Registrar Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, aligned with the vision of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, emphasising stronger regulation and improved pharmaceutical standards across Nigeria.

The initiative also supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aiming to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensured all Nigerians had access to safe, effective, and affordable healthcare services.