The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has shut down 489 medicine outlets across 14 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State over widespread unethical practices by patent medicine dealers and vendors.
The crackdown was carried out during a four-day enforcement operation led by a PCN team drawn from Abuja, Abia, Cross River, and other states. The exercise was aimed at restoring order to drug distribution and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Addressing journalists at the PCN Zonal Office in Uyo over the weekend, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, head of the enforcement team, said the operation was essential to tackle the growing problem of quackery, counterfeit drugs, and other illegal practices in the pharmaceutical sector.
“PCN has been in Akwa Ibom State since the beginning of the week to enforce regulatory standards. This is crucial to guaranteeing public access to safe and quality medicines,” Chiroma stated.
He emphasised that drugs and medical devices are required to follow strict distribution protocols from manufacturing or importation through distribution, wholesaling, and retailing. These channels, he said, must be properly inspected, approved, licensed, and monitored to ensure the efficacy and safety of medicines.
“Any breach in the distribution chain will attract sanctions, and that is the basis for this enforcement action,” he added.
The affected outlets were located in the following LGAs: Uyo, Okobo, Oron, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Abak, Essien Udim, Ibiono Ibom, Ikono, Ini, Eket, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, and Itu.
Violations uncovered during the operation included: Illegal operation without licenses, Non-renewal of premises registration, Engaging in clinical practice without authorization, Unauthorized access to controlled medicines, Overstocking beyond approved patent medicine lists, Training unqualified apprentices, Wholesale premises engaging in retail activities
Chiroma urged the public to be vigilant and cautious about where they source their medications, advising them to only patronize licensed pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) whose licences are clearly displayed on their premises.
He also called on citizens to report suspicious or unlicensed drug vendors to the PCN office in Uyo, and commended the cooperation of Akwa Ibom residents in supporting efforts to rid the state of substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products.
