Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has sealed 821 pharmaceutical premises in Kano State following a four‑day enforcement operation targeting widespread regulatory violations, including the operation of unlicensed outlets, the sale of prescription‑only medicines by unauthorised vendors, and the deliberate obstruction of regulatory officials. The crackdown, which covered eight local government areas in the Kano metropolis, also led to the permanent closure of 46 illegal medicine shops, the arrest of one operator, and the issuance of compliance directives to several others.
At a press conference held at the council’s state office in Kano on Thursday, the Head of the Enforcement Department, Dr Sulaiman Chiroma, speaking on behalf of the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, disclosed that a total of 1,140 premises were inspected during the four‑day operation. These included 114 pharmacies and 869 patent and proprietary medicine vendor stores, as well as 166 outlets that were operating entirely without any form of registration. The team sealed 821 premises comprising 68 pharmacies, 587 patent medicine stores, and every single one of the 166 unregistered outlets that was identified.
Dr Chiroma explained that the enforcement action was a direct response to the failure of many operators to comply with the provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act. Common infractions included the inability of operators to produce valid licences, the illegal sale of prescription‑only medicines by patent medicine vendors who are not authorised to do so, poor storage conditions that could contaminate medicines, and the active obstruction of regulatory officers during the inspection. The official warned that these practices pose a grave danger to public health, as they can lead to drug abuse, accidental poisoning, and the widespread circulation of substandard and falsified medicines.
The council particularly noted with concern the proliferation of unauthorised pharmaceutical outlets in two specific clusters within the Kano metropolis: the Kasuwan Kurmi and Kwangiri areas. In these locations, regulators discovered a dense concentration of shops operating openly without a single licence. The council moved decisively, permanently closing and sealing 46 such non‑compliant premises. Dr Chiroma described this as a targeted intervention to dismantle the epicentre of illegal drug distribution in the city.
Despite the scale of the violations, Dr Chiroma reported that the exercise had recorded notable improvements in overall compliance levels when compared with past enforcement rounds. Of the 893 premises that were assessed for compliance, only 15 per cent were found to be operating outside the regulatory framework, a significant decline from previous rates. The council stated that 28 per cent of all premises visited were adjudged to be fully compliant, operating in strict accordance with established regulatory guidelines. Among pharmacies, 66 per cent met the required standards, while only 32 per cent of patent medicine vendors were similarly compliant. This data, the council said, underscores progressive gains in its oversight functions.
The council’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to advancing key health sector reforms in support of Universal Health Coverage for Nigerians. Dr Chiroma urged members of the public to patronise only licensed pharmaceutical outlets that display valid PCN certification, and he warned that the council would continue its nationwide enforcement operations without compromise. He also commended the residents of Kano State for their cooperation, noting that public support remains critical to the success of the council’s regulatory mandate.
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