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 staff inspected 950 premises through the operation, comprising 92 pharmacies, 527 patent drugs outlets, and 331 unlawful shops.
He defined that 722 premises had been sealed, together with 52 pharmacies, 339 patent drugs outlets 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 through the train.
He mentioned 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 through the operation had 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 p.c 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 staff 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 outlets 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 through the train had been Flunitrazepam, generally often called Rohypnol; Diazepam, often known as Valium; Tramadol Hydrochloride, offered underneath 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 apply, together with the actions of pharmacy technicians and patent and proprietary drugs distributors.
Chiroma mentioned 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 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 coated this 12 months, 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 aims of the National Drug Policy, which seeks to make sure the supply of secure, efficient, inexpensive 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, forestall the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines, and be certain that medication had been dealt with, saved and disbursed by certified personnel in permitted services.
He recognized the most important aims of the train as curbing the unauthorised sale and distribution of prescription-only and managed medicines, guaranteeing that pharmaceutical premises had been operated by certified personnel, implementing compliance with the permitted scope of apply for PPMVs and eliminating unlawful drug shops.
The council warned that violations of present legal guidelines and laws would entice 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 mentioned.
The PCN additionally expressed appreciation to the Bauchi state authorities and residents for his or her cooperation and help through the enforcement train.
It emphasised that sustained collaboration with stakeholders was important to making sure steady entry to secure, efficient and quality-assured medicines
