In Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, authorities have arrested five illegal medicine dealers.
The city also closed 405 patent medicine stores during the week.
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) conducted the actions as part of an ongoing enforcement exercise.
During a press conference yesterday evening, PCN’s director of enforcement, pharm Stephen Esumobi, fsi, confirmed the actions in Calabar.
Esumobi stated that the closure of those premises was necessary to safeguard the public from purchasing and consuming pharmaceutical products that might have compromised quality, safety, and efficacy.
He explained that the premises will remain sealed until the Council is convinced that the owners are ready to address the lapses observed in their premises.
During the one-week operation in the city, the national enforcement officers visited 500 premises.
“These consisted of 84 pharmacies, 216 patent medicine shops, 200 illegal premises, 31 pharmacies, 174 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine stores. We issued five compliance directives and arrested five illegal medicine dealers for breaking PCN seals.
According to Pharma Esumobi, the quality of medicines in our pharmaceutical distribution chain will continue to attract the interest of both regulatory agencies, like themselves, and the public.
He emphasized that all medicines must maintain their quality, safety, and efficacy up to the point of administration.
He described inadequate handling of pharmaceutical products as one of the major factors contributing to poor quality medicine in our pharmaceutical distribution chain.
He noted that the PCN has taken steps to ensure that medicines sold on premises across the country remain safe, effective, and of good quality.
