The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 498 drug premises across Lagos State for various regulatory violations, including operating illegal pharmacies, unauthorised sale of controlled drugs, and failure to renew licences.
The action followed a week-long enforcement exercise across 20 local government areas, during which 845 premises were inspected — comprising 483 pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at the PCN Zonal Office in Yaba, Lagos, the Head of Enforcement, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, said the operation was part of the council’s ongoing efforts to sanitise the pharmaceutical sector and enforce compliance with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act No. 31 of 2022 and the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.
“Through our enforcement efforts, the PCN is making significant progress in purging the country of unqualified medicine handlers and substandard storage conditions,” Chiroma said.
“We remain committed to combating falsified medicines and protecting public health.”
Chiroma disclosed that out of the 845 premises inspected, 498 were sealed for contravening various provisions of the law, while 29 others received compliance directives to correct identified irregularities. The affected premises included 215 pharmacies, 83 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops.
The enforcement exercise covered key LGAs including Agege, Alimosho, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Mushin, Apapa, Badagry, Ojo, Surulere, and Eti-Osa, among others.
Common infractions observed, according to Chiroma, included operation of unregistered premises, expired licences, unauthorised access to controlled substances, illegal apprenticeship training, and unsafe storage of poisonous drugs.
“A disturbing trend in Lagos is the unregulated access to controlled medicines by non-pharmacists. Poisons must be kept securely under lock and key as required by law — any lapse poses serious risks to public safety,” he warned.
He urged residents to patronise only licensed pharmacies and medicine vendors, noting that all legitimate premises display their current licences prominently.
Meanwhile, Dr. Taiwo Filusi, Director of the PCN Lagos Zonal Office, dismissed allegations of ethnic bias in the council’s licensing process, describing them as “false and malicious.”
“We do not discriminate against anyone. Licensing decisions are based purely on merit and compliance with laid-down procedures,” Filusi said.
“If two people apply at different times and both meet the requirements, the first to apply gets approved first — regardless of tribe or region.”
