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 mentioned the workforce inspected 950 premises in the course of the operation, comprising 92 pharmacies, 527 patent medication retailers, and 331 unlawful retailers.
He defined that 722 premises have been sealed, together with 52 pharmacies, 339 patent medication retailers and all 331 unlawful retailers. The council additionally issued 24 compliance directives to operators.
According to him, unlawful retailers accounted for roughly 46 per cent of all premises sealed in the course of the train.
He mentioned 43 per cent of the pharmacies inspected complied absolutely with regulatory requirements, whereas 36 per cent of the patent and proprietary medication vendor retailers met the required requirements.
Chiroma careworn that each one 331 unlawful premises recognized in the course of the operation have been sealed in accordance with the legislation.
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 mentioned.
Chiroma mentioned the enforcement workforce found a number of violations, together with the operation of pharmaceutical premises with out registration and the stocking of restricted medicines by patent medication distributors.
He defined that many PPMV retailers have 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 have been Flunitrazepam, generally often known as Rohypnol; Diazepam, also referred to as Valium; Tramadol Hydrochloride, bought beneath the model title Tramal; and codeine-containing cough syrups.
Chiroma mentioned the sale of such managed medicines by PPMVs was expressly prohibited by legislation.
The PCN is the federal authorities company statutorily mandated to manage pharmacy training, coaching and observe, together with the actions of pharmacy technicians and patent and proprietary medication distributors.
Chiroma mentioned the council had commenced a structured and phased enforcement programme consistent with the Federal Government’s National Drug Policy and the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), geared toward sanitising Nigeria’s drug distribution system.
He mentioned 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 lined 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 mentioned.
Chiroma defined that the train was immediately linked to the goals of the National Drug Policy, which seeks to make sure the provision of secure, 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 medication have been dealt with, saved and allotted by certified personnel in authorized services.
He recognized the foremost goals of the train as curbing the unauthorised sale and distribution of prescription-only and managed medicines, guaranteeing that pharmaceutical premises have been operated by certified personnel, implementing compliance with the authorized scope of observe for PPMVs and eliminating unlawful drug retailers.
The council warned that violations of current legal guidelines and rules would entice immediate and applicable sanctions.
It suggested members of the general public to acquire medicines completely 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 mentioned.
The PCN additionally expressed appreciation to the Bauchi state authorities and residents for his or her cooperation and help in the course of the enforcement train.
It emphasised that sustained collaboration with stakeholders was important to making sure steady entry to secure, efficient and quality-assured medicines
