Fake Drugs: Pharmaceutical Council Seals 321 Pharmacies, Medicines Stores In Bayelsa

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 321 pharmacies and patent medicines stores in Bayelsa state.

This was in a renewed efforts to entrench minimum standard, save the public from great danger of quackery and ensure that the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines are maintained down the distribution lines.

Others reason according to the PCN include the non-compliance with regulatory laws and lack of registered personnel to handle medicines in their premises.

At a press briefing on Friday, after their inspections, the Director, Inspection and Monitoring, PCN, Mrs Anthonia Aruya, said after inspection of Pharmaceutical and medicines stores across the state, it was observed that people go into medicines without following due process.

She said, “At the end of the exercise a total of 427 premises comprising 71 pharmacies, 356 Patent and Propriety Medicines Vendors stores (PPMVs) were visited, 321 premises were sealed, comprising of 36 pharmacies, 285 PPMVs.

“13 premises, comprising of seven PPMVs and six pharmacies were given given compliance directives for various of offences ranging from improper handling of controlled substances, unhygienic environment and poor documentation, dispensing ethical/prescription drugs without the presence of a Pharmacist.

Mrs. Iruya, also revealed that many people go into sale of medicine without having the requisite knowledge or skills to handle all categories of medicine, adding that the PPMVs on the other hand are by law restricted to handle Over The Counter Drugs (OTC) that have proven safety margin.”

She called on the general public to always ask for the registration status of facilities by requesting for licences from pharmasitical outlets to safeguard themselves from patronising quacks.

This is the first phase of streamlining the distribution system in Bayelsa state. Further actions will follow in due course since the PCN is committed to full compliance to the National Drug Distribution System.

The general public is advised to source its drug need from registered pharmacy outlets and over the counter drugs from registered PPMV shops as drugs sold in unregistered outlets cannot be guaranteed to be genuine”, she advised.

She equally noted that it is required by law for all pharmaceutical facilities to register with the PCN and to ensure continuous licensure of same to legally key into the drug distribution value chain.