PCN arrests 5 persons, seals off 212 patent medicine stores in Enugu

THE Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has arrested five persons while it sealed a total of 264 drugs dispensing premises in Enugu State, the Director of Inspection and Monitoring, Anthonia Aruya has said.

Pharmacist Aruya also disclosed that 52 pharmacies were shut for operating illegally while 212 patent medicine stores were sealed for various offences such as operating without registration with the PCN and failure to renew their premises license.

Some of the sealed premises were also alleged to be dispensing ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist and for poor sanitary conditions, among other offences.

Addressing journalists in Enugu at the weekend after its one week of regulation and enforcement of standards in the state, Aruya, said that 339 premises comprising 82 pharmacies and 257 patent medicine stores were visited during their monitoring exercise in the state.

Aruya noted that the work of the PCN is not to slam punitive punishments on offenders in the drug distribution chain, but to correct and make them comply with the regulations, while they continue sensitization of the public, especially the rural dwellers who are less informed on issues of drug practices.

Among the places visited during the PCN enforcement in Enugu state include Trans Ekulu, NOWAS, Abakpa, Awkunanaw, Gariki, Uwani, Maryland, Achara layout, Ogui road, Asata, Old UNTH road, New Artisan, Oye Emene, Nkachacha, New Haven, Coal Camp, Nkanu east and west, Isi-Uzo I and II, Nsukka, Obollo-Afor and Udenu.

“What we observed in Enugu state is that so many premises commenced operations without fulfilling minimum requirements for registration while others failed to renew their license to operate such premises or shops. Some of these premises store products in environments where the quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products cannot be guaranteed.”

“This expose the public to serious danger, others do not have the requisite knowledge or knowhow to handle the highly ethical drugs in their facilities. This exercise is part of efforts by the PCN to reverse this ugly trend and improve on the level of pharmaceutical services delivery to the good people of Enugu state,” she concluded.