Pharmacists decry increase in illegal shops since COVID-19 lockdown, seal 499 chemists, shops in Kwara

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Francis Ogwo

Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) have raised alarm on the proliferation of illegal pharmaceutical shops since the lockdown orders as a containment measure against COVID-19.

While addressing reporters over the week in Ilorin, the Registrar of the council, Elijah Mohammed, who was represented by PCN Director of Enforcement, Stephen Esumobi, said, “One of the identified weaknesses in the drug distribution chain is the proliferation of illegal medicine shops which has become worse since the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to the PCN, there are no fewer than 499 pharmacies and patent medicine shops in Kwara State, adding that out of the figure, 326 shops were sealed off in Ilorin, the state capital alone, describing the ‘situation chaotic’.

The statement from PCN affirmed that the reasons for closing down the premises included operating without registration with PCN, failure to renew premises license, dispensing ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist, poor storage and poor sanitary conditions.

Speaking further, the registrar also added that 12 pharmacies and patent medicine shops were issued compliance directives.

“The PCN enforcement team has been in the state since the beginning of this week. The aim of the enforcement exercise is to ensure that all premises where medicines are sold are registered, having fulfilled conditions with respect to location, storage facilities, environment, documentation and personnel.

“The local government areas visited by the team include Edu, Ilorin South, Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Offa, Asa and Ifelodun.

“At the end of the Enforcement exercise a total of 687 premises comprising 98 pharmacies and 589 patent medicine shops were visited. A total of 499 premises made up of 30 pharmacies and 469 patent medicine shops were sealed off.

“Since the enforcement activities started, the owners of some of these sealed premises have been complying with relevant regulatory requirements for registration and operation of such premises,” he said.

Recall that the health scare caused by the unforeseen COVID-19 outbreak led to increase in demand for drugs and medical attention by the general public.

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