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  • PCN shuts 581 pharmacy, medicine shops in Adamawa

    PCN shuts 581 pharmacy, medicine shops in Adamawa

    The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed a total of 581 pharmacy and patent medicine shops in Adamawa State. 

    The council stated during a briefing at the Adamawa State Office in Yola, saying that a total of 816 shops were visited.

    The Director of Enforcement of the council, Stephen Esumobi, who led some state, zonal and national officials of the council to the briefing, said the premises sealed included 35 pharmacies, 325 patent medicine shops and 221 illegal medicine shops.

    He explained that to arrive at the defaulting shops, a total of 816 shops, comprising 98 pharmacies, 497 patent medicine shops and 221 illegal premises, were visisted.

    Read Also: PCN seals 666 pharmacies, medicine stores, illegal outlets in Kaduna

    Giving indications to why the PCN effected the closure of the affected shops, the enforcement director said the shops breached extant laws and regulations.

    “So many of the premises were not registered with the PCN while so many registered patent medicine vendors were operating far beyond the scope of their licence,” he said.

    He added that a lot of the pharmacies had no superintendent pharmacists, while many premises were operating in unsuitable locations.

  • PCN seals 666 pharmacies, medicine stores, illegal outlets in Kaduna

    PCN seals 666 pharmacies, medicine stores, illegal outlets in Kaduna

    The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed-off 666 medicine shops, including 47 pharmacies, 313 patent medicine stores, and 306 illegal premises, in Kaduna State as part of a major enforcement drive.

    The crackdown, according to the Council, followed concerns over unregulated medicine sales and the poor storage of pharmaceuticals, which could pose severe risks to public health.

    The enforcement exercise, which took place over the past week, saw officials visit 895 premises across the state. 

    It was gathered that out of these, the sealed outlets were found to be operating without proper registration, stocking prescription drugs without a supervising pharmacist, or engaging in other illegal activities. 

    Read Also: Community raises the alarm over alleged gas leak from Kaduna refinery

    Many were flagged for poor documentation and inadequate storage conditions that failed to meet pharmaceutical standards.

    PCN’s Director of Enforcement, Pharm. Stephen Esumobi, while addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday stated that, the sale of medicines in open drug markets remains a critical issue in Nigeria.

    He said the markets often operate without qualified pharmacists and sell drugs that may no longer be effective or safe due to improper storage conditions, adding that, medicines sold in such conditions pose a grave threat to public health.

    The sealed premises also included shops involved in the illegal sale of substances of abuse, exacerbating the region’s social and security challenges.

    PCN Enforcement Director however urged operators of the sealed premises to comply with regulations, adding that the PCN’s Kaduna office would assist those willing to adhere to the guidelines.

    The PCN reiterated its commitment to ensuring the rational distribution of medicines that are safe, effective, and of good quality across the healthcare system in Nigeria.

  • PCN shuts down 498 drugs shops in Plateau

    The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has shut down 498 drugs shops in Plateau State for sharp practices, unprofessional practice and quackery.

    The closure of the premises was effected during the 30th outing of the council in Plateau State which lasted for five days.

    Briefing newsmen at the end of the 5-day inspection exercise in Jos, head of the inspection team who is also the director inspection and monitoring of the council, Pham. Anthonia Aruya said the council has to take the drastic action to Save Nigerians from the danger posed by such sharp practices.

    Pham. Aruya said, “We have sealed 498 premises after visiting a total of 711 premises in the state in the 30th outing of the council across the country.

    “The PCN  is the Federal Government parastatal charged with the responsibility of regulating the education, training and practices of pharmacy in all aspects and ramifications as established by Decree 91 of 1992, now Pharmacists Council of Nigerian CAP P17 LFN 2004.

    “The drug distribution inspection committee and enforcement arm of the PCN  has been carrying out the enforcement activities across the nation in fulfillment of its mandate of ensuring that minimum standards of practice are maintained by all players in the pharmaceutical sector”

    Aruya maintained that the team visited various part of Plateau State covering 711 premises with 184 pharmacies, 527 Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors(PPMVs)  during their operations in Plateau State.

    She said, “Out of the 498 sealed, 89 are pharmacies and 409 PPMV where 13 premises comprising of seven PPMVs and six pharmacies were given compliance directives for various offences ranging from improper handling of controlled substances, unhygienic environment and poor documentation, dispensing ethical/prescription of drugs without the presence of a pharmacist.

  • FG bans production, importation of Codeine syrups

    The Federal Ministry of Health has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ban with immediate effect further issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations.

    The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole made this known in his office in Abuja.

    He said that the directive became necessary due to the gross abuse of Codeine usage has been subjected to in the country.

    In its stead, the Minister said Codeine containing cough syrups should be replaced with dextromethorphan which is less addictive.

    He also directed the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) and NAFDAC to supervise the recall for labeling and audit trailing of all codeine containing cough syrups in the country, while he has also banned sales of Codeine containing cough syrup without prescription across the country.

    He noted that the National Agency for Food and Drug administration and Control had an emergency meeting with the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (PMGMAN) to inform them that there is an embargo on all new applications for registration of codeine- containing cough syrups as well as applications for renewal has been abolished.

    The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has been directed to continue enforcement activities on Pharmacies, Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor’s Shops and outlets throughout the country.

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was also directed to fully carry out its functions among others: to regulate and control the manufacturing, distribution and sale of drugs, including inspection at points of entry of drugs, drug products and food for compliance with the new directive.

    The Minister stated that the FMOH shall ensure collaboration among regulatory agencies namely, NAFDAC, PCN, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), for effective implementation of extant Acts, regulations, policies and guidelines on codeine control and usage.

    ‘Furthermore, these agencies shall work together to increase pharmacovigilance around codeine, tramadol and other related substances of abuse,’ Adewole stated.

    Already, NAFDAC has developed Information-Education-Communication (IEC) materials that will be used in an already planned national campaign against drug abuse, an awareness programme that includes Young Pharmacists Group of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. This will soon be flagged off in Kano and Lagos.

    As a way of discouraging youths to shun the drugs, the Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health shall partner with National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Football celebrities, members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Performing Musicians of Nigeria and other celebrities to drive national campaign against drug abuse.

    ‘The FMOH shall ensure that Drug treatment intervention for victims of substances abuse shall be undertaken across the spectrum of health care delivery system in the country,’ Adewole stated.

    He stated that Civil Society Organisations shall be strengthened to deliver effective sensitization, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.

    Recalled that in view of the serious public health concerns drugs abuse poses to Nigerians , a working group which comprised of experts from various Ministries, Agencies of Government (including regulatory agencies), Development Partners and Associations was constituted in January and tagged Codeine Control and other Related Matters Working Group (CCRWG).

    The CCRWG was formally inaugurated on January 23, 2018 with clear Terms of Reference of developing key recommendations and strategies to address the menace of codeine, tramadol and other related substances in Nigeria.

    The CCRWG submitted its interim report on April 12, 2018 and recommended short-, medium- and long-term measures for implementation in a memorandum submitted to the Minister, today, 1st of May 2018.

    Finally, Professor Adewole restated the commitment of FGN to ensure the full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guideline (NDDG) by January 01, 2019 and closure of all open drug markets penultimate the implementation date of the NDDG that is, December 31, 2018. It is a public knowledge that easy access to codeine, tramadol and other substances of abuse is promoted by the chaotic drug distribution system.

  • Human trafficking: Edo to partner Peace Corps on returnees’ re-integration

    Human trafficking: Edo to partner Peace Corps on returnees’ re-integration

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his administration’s readiness to partner the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) on the reintegration programme for Libya returnees as soon as the bill establishing the Corps gets assent from President Muhammad Buhari.

    Governor Obaseki disclosed this when he received Edo State Commandant of PCN, Patriot Ayuba Hammed, at the Government House, Benin City, on a courtesy.

    The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon, said the support of the Peace Corps is required in empowering the Libya returnees.

    “I want to liken your duties to that of Edo State Government, which is empowering Libya returnees in the state by setting up skill acquisition centers, where they can truly acquire skills and be re-integrated into society,” he said.

    He commended the Corps for its involvement in combating social decadence in educational institutions in the state, noting “One of the key areas this government is working on is to revamp basic education in Edo State.

    “We are aware that the bill establishing the corps is awaiting assent. We are sure that when assented to, the corps will train more people for employment.”

    State Commandant, Edo State Peace Corps, Patriot Ayuba Hammed, said the corps aims to train, educate and re-orientate youths, particularly students on their leadership role in the society.

    He said the Corps was formed due to the alarming involvement of youth in criminal and anti-social activities in educational institutions across the state.

    Hammed said the state command of the corps parades over 5,000 officers spread across the three senatorial districts, where they work with schools to actualise set objectives.

  • Pharmacists Council seals 339 illegal premises in FCT

    Pharmacists Council seals 339 illegal premises in FCT

    The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria ( PCN ) on Friday says it has sealed 339 illegal pharmaceutical premises in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The Registrar of the council, Mr Elijah Mohammed, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the council’s enforcement team efforts to curb activities of illegal pharmaceutical outfits in the country.

    Mohammmed said enforcement exercise was carried out by the team on Nov. 20 to Nov. 23.

    He added that out of the 496 premises visited in the metropolis during the enforcement exercise, 20 pharmacies, 290 illegal medicine shops and 29 patent medicine stores were sealed for offences ranging from operating without registering with the council and failure to renew licences.

    He noted that other offences committed by some of the owners of those premises included dispensing ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist, poor storage and sanitary conditions.

    Mohammed said areas visited included Kuje, Kubwa, Mpape, Gwarinpa, Idu, Karimo, Gwagwalada, Jiwa, Deidei, Kagini, Zuba, Tunga Maje, Bwari, Ushafa, Abaji, Durumi, Kabusa, Lugbe and Paduma.

    The registrar, who decried the unwholesome practices of some drug dealers thereby inflicting injuries on patients, said the council decided to step up enforcement activities across the country to curb their excesses.

    He emphasised that most of the facilities had no appropriate storage facilities, leading to deterioration of medicines which made them unsuitable for human consumption.

    He said “the enforcement exercise is line with National Drug Distribution Guidelines aimed at ensuring that medicines remain safe, effective and of good quality as they transit from one level of distribution chain to another until they get to the patients and other end users.

    “One of the weaknesses in the distribution chain is proliferation of illegal medicine stores and these facilities do not have appropriate storage facilities, leading to
    deterioration of medicines, thus making them unsuitable for human consumption.

    “These illegal outlets do not have trained personnel to handle the medicines in their premises.

    “This has contributed immensely to irrational dispensing of medicines, resulting in treatment failures and negative effects on patients and other unsuspecting members of the public who patronise them.

    “Also, the activities of these illegal outlets tend to encourage abuse and misuse of controlled medicines, with attendant negative social and security implications.”

    The registrar, however, said some owners of the sealed premises had expressed willingness to fulfill conditions for registration by upgrading their storage facilities.

    He added that some others had also pledged to employ pharmacists that would supervise the dispensing of ethical products.

  • PCN seals 373 illegal pharmacies in Ogun

    The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 373 illegal pharmacies and patent medicine stores operating in different locations in Ogun State.

    The council said it took the decision to safeguard the health of members of the  public.

    The action followed a visit by PCN to 435 premises, comprising of 44 pharmacies and 391 patent medicine shops  in the state.

    The PCN Director of Inspection and Monitoring Unit, Anthonia Aruya who disclosed this to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at a press briefing, said the  culprits were caught after weeks of compliance enforcement operation in the state.

    She alleged that “the operators of the illegal pharmacies committed various offences such as operating without registering with the PCN, failure to renew premises license, dispensing ethical products without supervision of a pharmacist and poor sanitary conditions.”

    Aruya said the PCN has the responsibility of regulating and controlling the education, training and practice of pharmacies in all its aspects and ramifications as established by Decree 91 of 1992 now Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act Cap P17, LFN, 2004.

    She said the National Assembly (NASS)  had given the body the directive  to shut  down all illegal premises nationwide, adding that the NASS’ directive has further galvanized the PCN  efforts at sanitizing the drug distribution chain.

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

  • Court dismisses drug vendors’ case against PCN

    The Federal High Court, Akure, has dismissed the suit  by the Nigeria Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) against the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), saying it lacks merit.

    Delivering judgment in Akure, the Ondo State capital in the suit no: FHC/AK/CS/01/2004, which sought to stop the PCN from regulating members of NAPPMED, Justice F. A. Olubanjo refused to grant the NAPPMED’s prayers.

    Justice Olubanjo said: “I find no merit in this amended originating summons and the reliefs sought therein are refused. The amended originating summons filed on 11/03/15 is dismissed.”

    Relying on an earlier ruling of 1996 by Justice Ibrahim Auta in suit no: FHC/L/CS/28/95, the plaintiffs sought perpetual injunction that, restraining the defendants from further issuing or reverting the authority to issue the PPMVL in the absence of an amendment to the enabling laws, an injunction that, if not given, the plaintiffs said, would affect the rights of the patent and proprietary medicine vendors as well as their source of livelihood.

    The court observed that the Pharmacy Act on which  suit no: FHC/L/CS/28/95 was predicated had been repealed since 1992 by the PCN Act and as such the decision of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on it had been overtaken by events.

    The court further held that the PCN Act 1992 empowers the second Defendant (PCN) to regulate the affairs and functions of pharmacy  and matters related to the pharmacists, profession.

    “The Federal Minister of Health has the power to make regulations under section 53 of the Pharmacy Act, and has appointed the PCN as the Licensing Authority to issue Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors Licence in Nigeria, vide a letter dated April 14, 2003.’’

    Justice Olubanjo affirmed that by section 36 of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act Cap 535 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, the Minister of Health has the power to prescribe the second Defendant (PCN) as the licensing authority for the issuance of PPMVL.

    “Thus the 2nd Defendant (PCN) is competent to issue and publish guidelines for obtaining the Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors License”, the judge ruled.

    The plaintiffs, NAPPMED and Otunba F. E. Olatunji, sued the Minister of Health, PCN and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), seeking to stop the PCN from publishing any guideline, rule or condition on the procedure for obtaining the Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors License (PPMVL) as contained in the publication of The Punch of December 31, 2003.

    The judge observed that the plaintiffs have only succeeded in wasting the court’s time, hoping that they would desist from filing multiple actions on the matter.

    With its ruling, the judge laid to rest the issue of who regulates patent and proprietary medicine vendors which the NAPPMED   contested at the Federal High Courts in Kaduna, Ibadan, Benin and Asaba against the PCN.

  • Court dismisses drug vendors’ case against Pcn

    The Federal High Court, Akure, has dismissed the suit  by the Nigeria Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) against the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), saying it lacks merit.

    Delivering judgment in Akure, the Ondo State capital in the suit no: FHC/AK/CS/01/2004, which sought to stop the PCN from regulating members of NAPPMED, Justice F. A. Olubanjo refused to grant the NAPPMED’s prayers.

    Justice Olubanjo said: “I find no merit in this amended originating summons and the reliefs sought therein are refused. The amended originating summons filed on 11/03/15 is dismissed.”

    Relying on an earlier ruling of 1996 by Justice Ibrahim Auta in suit no: FHC/L/CS/28/95, the plaintiffs sought perpetual injunction that, restraining the defendants from further issuing or reverting the authority to issue the PPMVL in the absence of an amendment to the enabling laws, an injunction that, if not given, the plaintiffs said, would affect the rights of the patent and proprietary medicine vendors as well as their source of livelihood.

    The court observed that the Pharmacy Act on which  suit no: FHC/L/CS/28/95 was predicated had been repealed since 1992 by the PCN Act and as such the decision of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on it had been overtaken by events.

    The court further held that the PCN Act 1992 empowers the second Defendant (PCN) to regulate the affairs and functions of pharmacy  and matters related to the pharmacists, profession.

    “The Federal Minister of Health has the power to make regulations under section 53 of the Pharmacy Act, and has appointed the PCN as the Licensing Authority to issue Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors Licence in Nigeria, vide a letter dated April 14, 2003.’’

    Justice Olubanjo affirmed that by section 36 of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act Cap 535 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, the Minister of Health has the power to prescribe the second Defendant (PCN) as the licensing authority for the issuance of PPMVL.

    “Thus the 2nd Defendant (PCN) is competent to issue and publish guidelines for obtaining the Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors License”, the judge ruled.

    The plaintiffs, NAPPMED and Otunba F. E. Olatunji, sued the Minister of Health, PCN and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), seeking to stop the PCN from publishing any guideline, rule or condition on the procedure for obtaining the Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors License (PPMVL) as contained in the publication of The Punch of December 31, 2003.

    The judge observed that the plaintiffs have only succeeded in wasting the court’s time, hoping that they would desist from filing multiple actions on the matter.

    With its ruling, the judge laid to rest the issue of who regulates patent and proprietary medicine vendors which the NAPPMED   contested at the Federal High Courts in Kaduna, Ibadan, Benin and Asaba against the PCN.

  • Pharmacist Council seals 234 outlet in Oyo

    Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), has sealed off the outlet of 222 Patent and proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) and 12 pharmacy stores during their inspection and monitoring tour in Oyo State .

    The Director, Head of Inspection and Monitoring, PCN, Pharm Anthonia Aruya disclosed this while addressing journalist in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    She stated that the medicine outlets were sealed during the Council’s visit to Iseyin, Oyo, Saki and Eruwa/Igboora axis of Oyo State as a result of lack of licenced or expired licenses, adding that 11 facilities were also ‎given compliance directives.

    “Pharmacists and PPMVS are expected to undergo continuous training to keep them up to date in the provision of quality pharmaceutical services. The situation on ground is that a good number of these PPMVS do not want to submit to regulation, neigther do they appreciate the delicate natur of the critical services rendered by them that directly affects life.

    “A case in point is the death of 14 year old Amina who was treated by an illegal PPMV which resulted in her dea‎th. Our investigation as far show that the PPMV shop is illegal and stocking well above the approved drug list for which he had no ability to handle. In line with this mandate, the PCN inspects, approves, register and issues license to pharmaceutical prmises and shops to ensure that minimum standards are in place in terms of storage conditions, capability of personnel to handle the level of practice in each facility and the quality of pharceutical services rendered in the interest of public safety” PCN boss said

    Aruya said the law of the country clearly states clearly that every pharmacy or patent stores without license or renewed licensed should be sealed, noting that:” to register for a license with the council cost N16,500 annually and to renew the license subsequently cost N10,500″

    She ‎urged the general public to look for the license issued by the PCN in any outlet before sourcing their drug needs, adding that they should visit only PCN registered outlets for all their drugs.