PCN cracks down on illegal medicine traders in Zamfara

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has visited 13 local government councils of Zamfara state in its bid to ensure total regulation of sale of medicines in the state, according to Act Cap P17, LFN, 2004 as established by Decree 91 of 1992.
In a press conference at Karma Hotel , the Director Inspection and Monitoring of the PCN, Pharm Mrs. Anthonia O. Aruya said, the PCN has the core mandate to ensure rational distribution and dispensing of medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality to the public.
Mrs. Anthonia informed that, during the enforcement exercise carried by the PCN throughout last week, a total of 329 Pharmacies and Patent shops were ransacked and sealed out of which 279 were operating without due registration while 4 were even illegal.
“4 illegal Patent Shops and 279 others were sealed for various offences some of which include operating without registration with Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, failure to renew premises license, dispensing ethical products without the supervision of a Pharmacist, poor sanitary conditions among others,” Anthonia stated.
She further advised members of the general public to purchase their medicines from the licensed Pharmacies and simple household remedies from licensed Patent and Propriety Medicines shops as such would help to desist from taking dangerous drugs in the hands of unpatriotic vendors.