Pharmacists Council of Nigeria seals 431 premises

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Inspection and Monitoring Unit, has sealed 431 premises comprising 45 pharmacies and 386 Patent Provision of Medicine Vendors (PPMVS).

This was announced by the Director, Inspector and Monitoring, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Mrs Anthonia O. Aruya while addressing newsmen at a news conference in Owerri, Imo State capital on Friday.

According to her, a total of 522 premises comprising 103 pharmacies and 419 PPMVS were visited in 27 states by the council recently.

Of this number, she said 13 premises were given compliance directives for various offences ranging from improper handling of controlled substances, unhygienic environment, poor documentation, and dispensing ethical / prescription drugs without the presences of a pharmacist.

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According to her, observations from the field in Imo State  revealed that many people go into sale of drugs without following due process, while others do not have the requisite knowledge or skills to handle drugs in their premises or operate beyond their approved scope.

Said she, “It is also disheartening that some cannot communicate in plain English and do operate these illegal shops to the detriment of the unsuspecting public.”

She advised the general public to source for drug from registered PPMV shops as drugs sold in unregistered outlets cannot be guaranteed to be genuine.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the state Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Police, other security agencies and the gentlemen of the press for their continuous collaboration with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria,”she stated.”