The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 498 medicine premises across Lagos State for a range of violations — from operating unregistered pharmacies to the unauthorised sale of controlled drugs and failure to renew licences.
It was noted that the most common breaches discovered included operating unregistered premises, using expired licences, unauthorised access to controlled substances, and illegal training of apprentices.
The practices are described as serious threats to the integrity of Nigeria’s drug supply chain.
The large-scale enforcement, which spanned 20 local government areas, marks one of the most extensive clampdowns by the PCN in recent years.
In total, 845 medicine premises were inspected, comprising 483 pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops.
According to the PCN Head of Enforcement, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma while speaking at Council’s Zonal Office in Yaba on Thursday, the action reflects a renewed national effort to rid Nigeria’s pharmaceutical landscape of illegal operators and ensure that public health remains uncompromised.
“Through its enforcement efforts, the PCN is making significant strides in purging the nation of unqualified medicine handlers and suboptimal storage conditions. We are committed to combating substandard and falsified medicinal products and protecting public safety,” Chiroma said.
According to him, out of the 845 premises inspected, 498 were sealed for violating various provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act No. 31 of 2022 and the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, while 29 others were issued compliance directives to correct specific irregularities.
The affected outlets included 215 pharmacies, 83 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops, with operations spanning major urban and suburban areas such as Agege, Alimosho, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Mushin, Apapa, Badagry, Ojo, and Eti-Osa.
“During the week-long extensive enforcement exercise undertaken in Lagos State, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) conducted enforcement in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs): Agege, AjeromiIfelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, IfakoIjaiye, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu and Surulere. A total of 845 premises, comprising 483 pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores and 200 illegal medicine shops were inspected.
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