Pharmacists Council shuts down 264 drug outlets in Enugu

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria has sealed about 264 medicine stores in Enugu, Enugu State.

The outlets that were closed include 52 pharmacy shops and 212 patent medicine stores.

Director, Inspection and Monitoring Department of PCN, Mrs. Anthonia Aruya, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Enugu, said the concerned outlets were sealed for failing to comply with the stipulated standards required for dispensing drugs to members of the public.

Aruya stated that five persons were arrested during the inspection exercise in the state.

According to her, the raid is in line with the council’s determination to close all outlets where ethical drugs are stored, sold, distributed or dispensed without the registration licences or in-house pharmacists.

“Some of these premises store products in environments where the quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products cannot be guaranteed. This exposes the public to danger. Others do not have the requisite knowledge or know-how to handle the ethical drugs in their facilities,” Aruya noted.

She went ahead to give an insight into the conditions that should be met before a pharmacy can be regarded as licensed.

“The location has to be approved. We don’t want a drug store in a market. It should have the right storage facilities to preserve the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic integrity of the medicines. Also, pharmacies are expected to have pharmacists,” Aruya added.