The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria recently took action against the regulation of medicine shops in the Gombe State open drug market by sealing off no less than 751 establishments.

This Federal Government agency is responsible for overseeing the education, training, and practice of pharmacy in accordance with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022.

Stephen Esumobi, the Director of Enforcement, reported that the sealed businesses were found to be engaging in various offenses such as selling medicines in open markets, operating without proper registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, lacking in documentation, inadequate storage facilities, and stocking ethical products without pharmacist supervision.

Wakadaily learnt that,The enforcement team from the PCN conducted operations in five different Local Government Areas between April 20 and 25, 2024, covering Gombe, Akko, Yalmatu Deba, Funakaye, and Billiri LGAs.

“At the end of the exercise, a total of 1001 premises were visited. This is made up of 71 pharmacies, 346 patent medicine shops and 584 illegal premises including those in Gombe open drug market.

“A total of 751 premises were sealed. The premises sealed include 39 pharmacies, 128 patent medicine shops and 584 illegal medicine shops,” Esumobi emphasized.

The pharmacist observed that the PCN, as a government organization, aims to foster growth in businesses while prioritizing safety rather than hindering them.

“The PCN has mandated its office in Gombe to render all necessary assistance to medicine dealers in the state open drug market and other locations who are willing to comply with regulations,” he mentioned.