The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) goes tough against unprofessional practices in Rivers and Bayelsa States as it raids and shuts down 618 pharmacies for illicit activities in both South south states
By Chinedu Ogu, Port Harcourt
As part of its efforts to bring sanity in the pharmaceutical landscape in Nigeria which has been bedeviled by chaotic drug distribution, unlicensed and illegal premises and the handing of medicines by unauthorized persons, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) recently raided and closed down 618 premises, including pharmacies and patent medicine shops for various offences contravening the Council’s regulations in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Tentacle gathered that out of the 618 premises sealed, 178 were pharmacies, 123 were patent medicine shops and 317 were illegal shops, while nine premises were issued compliance directives.
According to the PCN statement, some of the offences include operating illegal shops, non-renewal of premises registration, carrying out clinical practices, and unauthorized access to controlled medicine, among others.
The PCN Head of Enforcement, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma told the media that during the week-long enforcement exercise, the team visited four local government areas in Rivers State and two Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State.
Asked where he derived the authority and power to close down pharmacies, the Head of Enforcement answered that the PCN was established by Establishment Act No 31 of 2022 and is charged with the responsibility of regulating pharmacy firms in all its aspects and ramifications.
Among other things, Chiroma noted that the Council has the mandate to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines which are prerequisite for access to safe and quality medicines in Nigeria.
According to Chiroma, the PCN team was in Rivers and Bayelsa States as part of PCN’s efforts to achieve its mandate and rid the nation of substandard and falsified medicines. And that the enforcement exercise targeted pharmaceutical core areas of practice, premises and personnel to ensure adherence to minimum quality assurance standards as enshrined in the PCN Establishment Act 2022 and relevant regulations and guidelines.
He went further to explain that pertinent areas of the standards enforced include ethics of the profession, maintenance of a well-regulated environment to preserve the quality and potency of medicines, and the levels of expertise of personnel engaged in the practice.
Dr. Chiroma went further to disclose that during the week-long rigorous enforcement exercise in Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Etche Local Government Areas were visited, while in Bayelsa State, Yenagoa and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas were also visited.
“A total of 867 premises were visited in both Rivers and Bayelsa States comprising 344 pharmacies and 523 patent medicine stores, five people were arrested for breaking the PCN seal.
“A total of 618 premises were sealed in both states, comprising 178 pharmacies, 123 patent medicine shops and 317 illegal shops for various offences. Nine premises were issued compliance directives.
“The closures in Bayelsa were 82, while 536 premises were sealed in Rivers State bringing the total to 618”. Chiroma said.
He added that the offences included operating illegal premises or shops, non-renewal of premises registration, carrying out clinical practice, unauthorized access to controlled medicines, overstocking beyond the approved patent medicine list, training of apprentices and retailing by wholesale premise.
Amidst the threat posed to human health by huge quantities of fake and adulterated drugs in the market, a recent survey by Tentacle has revealed that more of such dangerous drugs daily flood into the market.
Yam floor, for example, was alleged to be used in filling the Ampicillin capsules, while white chalk and other dangerous liquids were used by quack pharmaceutical companies to produce the other drugs; samples of these showed that they contain no active ingredients.
Before this time, a brand of Aldomet, a drug for the treatment of hypertension with a Brazilian trade mark, was faked. Also, Ventolin Inhaler, for asthma has a Brazilian fake pack, while the original is manufactured by Glaxo Pharmaceuticals Limited among other drugs.
In the light of the above, fears are being expressed by medical experts and observers over dangers posed to the populace in the face of increasing proliferation of these drugs.
Most distributing is that drug peddlers have been thriving on this business, notwithstanding that sale of drugs and poison by authorized persons and authorized places contravenes PCN Establishment Act.
It seems that those in the authority have totally lost control of the circulation of these drugs. This is not unexpected given the frequency and zeal with which these drugs are freely manufactured and marked across the country.
Explaining the reason behind the ease with which these drugs are adulterated, Dr. Chima Ukeh, a medical consultant in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, told Tentacle that some of these drugs can easily be imitated “the structure of some of these drugs makes it easy for quacks to produce fake ones with striking resemblance”, she said, adding that because the fake drugs are cheaper than the originals, they easily receive ready patronage than the Patent Right Owner’s” she added.
The PCN Head of Enforcement noted what he observed as a disturbing trend in Rivers State. “Unfettered access to controlled medicines in poison cupboards by non-pharmacist staff in pharmacies”.
“This practice is highly unethical and unacceptable, as it allows medicines to get into the hands of unauthorized persons for abuse, posing a security risk to the general public”.
The PCN therefore calls on the people of both Bayelsa and Rivers States to be mindful of where they access their medicines, to avoid falling into the hands of untrained persons and to report such persons to the PCN state offices.
Dr. Chiroma further explained that the public can identify genuine pharmacies and PPMUs by the conspicuous display of their respective licenses within the premises.
On the five arrested persons, he said they have been handed over to the appropriate security agencies for prosecution.
He emphasized that the issuance of licenses is not enough, but continuous adherence to ethical standard is necessary to protect the public and uphold the reputation of the country.
