The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 618 pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Rivers and Bayelsa states for breaching regulatory standards in the pharmaceutical sector.
The enforcement operation, which commenced earlier this week, targeted major local government areas including Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Ikwerre, and Etche in Rivers State, as well as Yenagoa and Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa State.
A total of 867 premises were inspected — 344 pharmacies and 523 patent medicine stores — out of which 536 were shut down in Rivers State and 82 in Bayelsa.
According to the PCN, the affected outlets were sanctioned for various infractions such as operating without valid licenses, failure to renew premises registration, engaging in unauthorized clinical services, illegal possession of controlled drugs, exceeding approved stock limits, training unqualified apprentices, and retailing medicines from wholesale-only facilities.
The Council described these practices as unethical and a threat to public health, emphasizing its commitment to sanitizing the pharmaceutical landscape and protecting consumers.
