Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Kwara State Government has called for stronger monitoring and enforcement measures in the pharmaceutical sector after the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) uncovered and shut down hundreds of illegal drug premises operating across the state.
The Kwara State Government raised the concern in a statement issued on Sunday, June 21, 2026, through the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Abdulraheem Malik. The statement followed an enforcement exercise by inspectors of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, which led to the closure of 724 illegal drug premises in different parts of Kwara State.
The government described the discovery as a serious concern for public health and said the large number of unregulated medicine outlets revealed challenges in monitoring the distribution and sale of medicines.
Dr Malik said the enforcement exercise carried out by the PCN was important because it exposed the presence of unauthorised drug outlets that could put residents at risk.
He explained that many of the illegal premises were allegedly operating without the required pharmaceutical training, professional supervision, and regulatory approval needed for safe handling of medicines.
According to him, individuals operating such outlets may lack proper knowledge of medicine storage, dosage management, drug interactions, and possible side effects.
The government warned that improper handling and distribution of medicines could contribute to treatment failures, medication errors, antimicrobial resistance, and other health complications.
Dr Malik said the actual impact of illegal drug sales on public health may be difficult to measure because some health challenges linked to unsafe medicines are not always traced back to their source.
He stated that cases of prolonged illness, unsuccessful treatments, and medicine-related complications could potentially be connected to drugs obtained from unregulated outlets.
The Executive Secretary described the discovery of 724 illegal premises as a wake-up call for stakeholders in the state’s health sector.
He urged the Kwara State Pharmaceutical Inspectors Committee to strengthen its surveillance activities and develop more effective strategies to identify illegal medicine outlets before they become established.
The government said existing monitoring systems needed improvement to ensure that pharmaceutical activities across communities comply with safety standards.
Dr Malik recommended the use of Community Health Committees established by the Hospitals Management Board to support grassroots monitoring.
He explained that these committees, which operate in 46 communities across the state, already have experience supporting health facility supervision.
According to him, their close connection with residents could help them identify and report illegal drug outlets within their communities.
The government also encouraged increased public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the dangers of purchasing medicines from unauthorised sellers.
Officials said members of the public should obtain medicines only from licensed pharmacies and approved healthcare providers.
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria’s enforcement action formed part of efforts to regulate the pharmaceutical sector and protect Nigerians from unsafe medicines.
The Kwara State Government said future enforcement exercises should record fewer illegal drug premises as a sign that corrective measures have been implemented.
The government stressed that ensuring access to safe and properly regulated medicines requires cooperation between regulators, healthcare professionals, communities, and residents.
It added that protecting public health remains a shared responsibility and that stronger oversight is necessary to maintain standards in the pharmaceutical industry.
The development has renewed attention on the need for continuous monitoring of medicine distribution channels across Nigeria.
The state government maintained that eliminating illegal drug operations would improve healthcare safety and strengthen confidence in the state’s health system.
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