In a sweeping crackdown aimed at sanitizing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 498 medicine outlets across Lagos State for breaching regulatory standards.
The enforcement operation, which spanned 20 local government areas, is one of the most extensive in recent years.
According to the PCN, the infractions ranged from operating without registration and using expired licences to unauthorized handling of controlled substances and the illegal training of apprentices.
These practices, officials warned, pose serious risks to the integrity of the nation’s drug distribution system and public health.
Speaking at the Council’s Zonal Office in Yaba on Thursday, PCN’s Head of Enforcement, Dr Suleiman Chiroma, explained the Council’s renewed commitment to eliminating unqualified operators from the pharmaceutical landscape.
"Through its enforcement efforts, the PCN is making significant strides in purging the nation of unqualified medicine handlers and suboptimal storage conditions. We are committed to combating substandard and falsified medicinal products and protecting public safety," he said.
Chiroma revealed that during the week-long operation, PCN inspectors visited a total of 845 medicine premises, including 483 registered pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal drug outlets.
Following the inspections, 498 premises were sealed for violating provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act No. 31 of 2022 and the National Drug Distribution Guidelines. An additional 29 outlets received compliance directives to address specific irregularities.
The enforcement covered both urban and suburban zones, including Agege, Alimosho, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Mushin, Apapa, Badagry, Ojo, Eti-Osa, and others.
Among the sealed premises were 215 pharmacies, 83 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal drug shops.
"During the week-long extensive enforcement exercise undertaken in Lagos State, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) conducted enforcement in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs): Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu and Surulere. A total of 845 premises, comprising 483 pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores and 200 illegal medicine shops were inspected.
"Consequently, a total of 498 premises were sealed for contravening relevant regulations, including 215 pharmacies, 83 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops. Furthermore, 29 premises were served with compliance directives, necessitating corrective actions to address identified non-compliances," he said.
Health sector observers have welcomed the move, describing it as a critical step toward restoring accountability and public confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
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