The affected native authorities areas are Bauchi, Darazo, Gamawa, Kirfi, Alkaleri, Toro, Misau, Katagum, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro, Dass, Ningi, Warji and Jama’are.
The head of the PCN enforcement division, Suleiman S. Chiroma, disclosed this whereas addressing a press convention yesterday on the finish of a four-day enforcement train within the state.
Chiroma stated the group inspected 950 premises in the course of the operation, comprising 92 pharmacies, 527 patent drugs retailers, and 331 unlawful shops.
He defined that 722 premises had been sealed, together with 52 pharmacies, 339 patent drugs retailers and all 331 unlawful shops. The council additionally issued 24 compliance directives to operators.
According to him, unlawful shops accounted for about 46 per cent of all premises sealed in the course of the train.
He stated 43 per cent of the pharmacies inspected complied totally with regulatory requirements, whereas 36 per cent of the patent and proprietary drugs vendor shops met the required requirements.
Chiroma pressured that each one 331 unlawful premises recognized in the course of the operation had been sealed in accordance with the regulation.
He expressed concern over the low variety of pharmacies among the many premises inspected, noting that they accounted for less than about 10 % of the 950 services visited.
“Every premises or shop involved in the handling, storage and dispensing of medicines will henceforth be under strict and sustained regulatory supervision,” he stated.
Chiroma stated the enforcement group found a number of violations, together with the operation of pharmaceutical premises with out registration and the stocking of restricted medicines by patent drugs distributors.
He defined that many PPMV retailers had been discovered stocking prescription-only medicines, injectables and intravenous infusions opposite to the provisions of the Approved Patent Medicine List.
Other violations included poor record-keeping, improper signage, unhygienic environments, unrestricted entry to poisons by unauthorised individuals and the unauthorised coaching of apprentices.
The council additionally expressed concern over the unlawful sale of managed medicines for abuse, significantly within the Bayan Gari space of Bauchi metropolis.
Among the managed substances recovered in the course of the train had been Flunitrazepam, generally often known as Rohypnol; Diazepam, also called Valium; Tramadol Hydrochloride, offered below the model identify Tramal; and codeine-containing cough syrups.
Chiroma stated the sale of such managed medicines by PPMVs was expressly prohibited by regulation.
The PCN is the federal authorities company statutorily mandated to control pharmacy training, coaching and observe, together with the actions of pharmacy technicians and patent and proprietary drugs distributors.
Chiroma stated the council had commenced a structured and phased enforcement programme in keeping with the Federal Government’s National Drug Policy and the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), geared toward sanitising Nigeria’s drug distribution system.
He stated the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, had directed the continuation of enforcement workouts throughout the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, a number of states have already been coated this yr, whereas the train stays ongoing.
“The enforcement is focused on identifying, correcting and sealing premises operating outside the provisions of the law, with a view to ensuring total adherence to the National Drug Distribution Guidelines,” he stated.
Chiroma defined that the train was straight linked to the aims of the National Drug Policy, which seeks to make sure the provision of protected, efficient, reasonably priced and high quality medicines for all Nigerians.
He added that eradicating unlicensed and non-compliant premises from the drug distribution chain would assist shield public well being, stop the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines, and make sure that medicine had been dealt with, saved and allotted by certified personnel in accepted services.
He recognized the key aims of the train as curbing the unauthorised sale and distribution of prescription-only and managed medicines, making certain that pharmaceutical premises had been operated by certified personnel, imposing compliance with the accepted scope of observe for PPMVs and eliminating unlawful drug shops.
The council warned that violations of present legal guidelines and rules would appeal to immediate and applicable sanctions.
It suggested members of the general public to acquire medicines solely from premises licensed by the PCN.
“The public is advised to obtain medicines exclusively from premises licensed by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria. A valid and current licence must be displayed by every licensed facility as proof of authorisation to operate,” the council stated.
The PCN additionally expressed appreciation to the Bauchi state authorities and residents for his or her cooperation and assist in the course of the enforcement train.
It emphasised that sustained collaboration with stakeholders was important to making sure steady entry to protected, efficient and quality-assured medicines
