The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has taken decisive action in Cross River State by shutting down over 400 unauthorized medicine stores. This move is part of the council's ongoing efforts to ensure the quality, safety, and effectiveness of medications available within the healthcare system. In addition to the closures, five illegal medicine dealers were apprehended.
Pharmacist Stephen Esumobi, the Director of Enforcement for Cross River State, made this known in a statement on Friday, August 23. He emphasized the importance of protecting public health and maintaining the integrity of the healthcare system through stringent enforcement measures.
Esumobi revealed that during the enforcement operation, nearly 500 premises were inspected, leading to the closure of 405 facilities. The affected locations included 31 pharmacies, 174 patent medicine shops, and 200 illegal medicine outlets. Five compliance directives were also issued, and five individuals were arrested for violating the PCN’s regulations.
Esumobi expressed concerns over the poor storage conditions observed in many of these premises, noting that the quality of the medications could be compromised due to exposure to adverse environmental factors such as high temperatures, humidity, and direct sunlight. This raises the possibility that many products may have degraded, further endangering public health.
The PCN's actions highlight its commitment to ensuring that only properly regulated and safe medicines are available to the public.
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