Council sanctions 84 Pharmacies, 256 patent medicine vendors in Edo

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro

The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, PCN, has sealed 256 Patent Medicine Vendors’ shop and 84 Pharmacies in some parts of Edo State for flouting approved guidelines and regulations while 22 compliance directives were issued to premises for various offences.
Recall that PCN is the federal government Parastatal charged with the responsibility of regulating the education, training, and practice of pharmacy as established by Decree 91 of 1992, which became known as Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act 2004.
At a Press briefing in Benin City, the State Capital, Pharmacist Elijah Mohammed, Registrar of PCN, cited poor sanitary conditions, poor documentation and non-display of premised and Pharmacists annual licenses as reasons for the sanction.
Mohammed was represented by Pharmacist Stephen Esunobi, Director in charge of enforcement team of PCN, said at the end of the exercise, a total of 771 premises that were visited by its enforcement team in the State since the past one week.
According to him, Out of 771 premises that were visited, 431 of them were Patent and Proprietary medicine Vendors’ shop while 340 were Pharmacies.
“This is the first phase of activities of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria put in place to streamline the drug distribution system and improve the level of Pharmaceutical service delivery to the good people of Edo State. Further action will follow in due cause since the PCN is committed to ensuring the full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines”.
He alleged that most of the premised visited in the State engage in the sale of medicines with disregard to laid down guidelines, adding that the exercise will continue alongside sensitization of the people.
He listed Benin City, Ekpoma in Esan West, Igueben, Irrua in Esan South East, Uromi in Esan North East, Ogua and Ewu in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
Mohammed, said the Council had withdrawn two licences of two Pharmacists in Edo State while some cases against erring persons in the Pharmacists Council are still in court.
He also clarified that PCN is not interested in putting people out of business, but to insist on the right thing is done to public public health and safety.