The PCN seals 724 Kwara pharmacies and medicine stores for violating regulatory guidelines during a statewide enforcement exercise.
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) announced the action in Ilorin after a four-day operation across Kwara State. PCN Registrar, Ibrahim Ahmed, disclosed the outcome while briefing journalists on the exercise conducted by council officials.
Ahmed, represented by Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, said the operation covered 10 local government areas, including Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Asa, Offa, Ifelodun, Oyun, Moro, Irepodun and Edu.
Speaking on the results, Ahmed said PCN seals 724 Kwara pharmacies and medicine stores after inspecting 1,238 premises. The facilities included 167 pharmacies, 957 patent medicine stores and 114 illegal outlets.
According to him, the council sealed 68 pharmacies, 542 patent medicine stores and 114 illegal outlets. It also issued 11 compliance directives. He noted that nine per cent of the inspected premises operated illegally.
Ahmed added that illegal outlets accounted for 15.7 per cent of all sealed facilities. He said 59.2 per cent of licensed pharmacies complied fully with regulations, while 43 per cent of patent medicine stores met the required standards. The council sealed all identified illegal premises.
He listed the violations as operating without a valid PCN licence, poor drug storage, unauthorised access to controlled medicines, apprentice training and cooking inside medicine shops.
“These practices threaten public health and create security risks when controlled drugs fall into criminal hands,” he said.
Ahmed noted that the exercise showed improved compliance across the state. He warned that the council would continue to enforce regulations against violators.
He advised residents to buy medicines only from PCN-licensed facilities to avoid treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance and preventable deaths.
Ahmed said consumers could identify approved facilities through a valid PCN licence displayed prominently at the premises.
He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage under the Federal Government’s health agenda.
“Universal Health Coverage cannot succeed without access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines,” he said.
He added that untrained medicine handlers and poor storage conditions contribute to treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance and avoidable deaths.
