PCN seals 724 facilities in Kwara, warns against unlicensed medicine outlets
By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 724 pharmaceutical and patent medicine facilities in Kwara State during a statewide enforcement exercise, while warning members of the public against patronising unlicensed medicine outlets.
The Registrar of the Council, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, gave the warning in Ilorin during a press briefing on the outcome of the four-day enforcement operation.
He said the exercise was carried out across 10 local government areas — Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Asa, Offa, Ifelodun, Oyun, Moro, Irepodun and Edu.
According to him, a total of 1,238 premises were inspected, comprising 167 pharmacies, 957 patent medicine stores, and 114 illegal outlets.
He disclosed that 724 premises were sealed, including 68 pharmacies, 542 patent medicine stores and all 114 illegal outlets, while 11 compliance directives were issued.
Ahmed noted that only 9 per cent of inspected premises were found to be operating illegally, describing it as a relatively low rate that reflects improved regulatory compliance in the state.
He added that 59.2 per cent of pharmacies inspected were fully compliant with regulatory standards, compared to 43 per cent of patent medicine vendors.
The Registrar explained that breaches uncovered during the exercise included operating without valid PCN licences, poor storage conditions, unauthorised handling of controlled medicines, and other violations capable of endangering public health.
He warned that such practices could lead to treatment failures, antimicrobial resistance, diversion of controlled drugs, and other security risks.
Ahmed urged Nigerians to ensure they obtain medicines only from duly licensed premises, stressing that valid PCN licences must be visibly displayed for verification.
He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening regulation of pharmaceutical practice and supporting the Federal Government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda, noting that safe and quality-assured medicines remain critical to effective healthcare delivery.
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