PCN Shuts 724 Pharmacies and Medicine Stores in Kwara Over Regulatory Breaches
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 724 pharmacies, patent medicine stores and illegal drug outlets across Kwara State following a major enforcement operation aimed at strengthening compliance within the pharmaceutical sector.
The crackdown, which lasted four days, covered 10 local government areas, including Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Asa, Offa, Ifelodun, Oyun, Moro, Irepodun and Edu. During the exercise, regulatory officials inspected 1,238 premises comprising pharmacies, patent medicine stores and illegal drug outlets.
Speaking on the outcome of the operation, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Ibrahim Ahmed, disclosed that 724 premises were sealed, including 68 pharmacies, 542 patent medicine stores and 114 illegal outlets. The council also issued 11 compliance directives to operators found to have breached regulatory requirements.
According to the council, several violations were uncovered during the exercise, including operation without valid licences, poor drug storage practices, unauthorized access to controlled medicines, illegal apprenticeship training and other activities considered detrimental to public health and safety.
The PCN warned that the distribution of medicines by unqualified persons and the storage of drugs under unsuitable conditions could lead to treatment failures, antimicrobial resistance and preventable deaths. The council also raised concerns that the diversion of controlled medicines could pose broader security risks if such drugs find their way into criminal networks.
Ahmed noted that the enforcement exercise reflects the council’s commitment to sanitizing the pharmaceutical sector and ensuring Nigerians have access to safe, effective and quality medicines. He stressed that any facility involved in the storage, handling or dispensing of medicines must comply fully with existing regulations or face sanctions.
The council urged members of the public to patronize only licensed pharmaceutical outlets and verify the authenticity of facilities through valid PCN licences displayed at their premises. It reiterated that strengthening compliance within the pharmaceutical supply chain remains critical to achieving universal health coverage and improving healthcare outcomes across the country.
