PCN Shuts Nearly 500 Drug Outlets in Lagos Over Rampant Violations

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed off 498 drug premises across Lagos State for breaching pharmaceutical laws and operating without valid authorization.

The week-long enforcement exercise, which covered 20 Local Government Areas, targeted pharmacies, patent medicine stores, and illegal medicine outlets suspected of non-compliance with professional regulations.

Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, Head of Enforcement for the PCN, announced the clampdown on Thursday at the Council’s zonal office in Yaba. He said 845 premises were inspected — comprising 483 pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops.

“Out of these, 215 pharmacies, 83 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine outlets were sealed for various infractions,” Chiroma revealed.

He noted that the violations included operating unlicensed premises, failure to renew registration, engaging in unauthorized clinical practices, and unlawful access to controlled substances.

Some wholesalers, he added, were also found retailing medicines — an act that breaches their licence conditions.

Twenty-nine additional premises were issued compliance directives for other regulatory lapses.

Chiroma warned that the unchecked sale of controlled drugs by unqualified personnel poses grave risks to public safety, stressing that “when poisons and restricted medicines are not securely stored, they can easily fall into the wrong hands.”

The enforcement, he explained, was in line with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022, which mandates strict oversight of pharmaceutical practice and facilities nationwide.

According to him, the operation will continue across other states to ensure only licensed professionals handle drugs and that the distribution chain meets national standards.