Illegal drug outlets targeted as the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria seals 397 premises during enforcement operations in Oyo State

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has sealed 397 premises across Oyo State during a sweeping enforcement operation aimed at tackling illegal drug outlets and ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical regulations.

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The sealed premises included 60 pharmacies, 81 patent medicine stores and 256 illegal outlets, while five compliance directives were also issued during the operation.

Head of Enforcement at the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Suleiman Chiroma, disclosed the figures on Thursday during a press conference held at the PCN Zonal Office in Ibadan.

According to Suleiman Chiroma, the enforcement exercise began on Monday and focused on verifying compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements governing medicine distribution and pharmaceutical practice.

The operation covered Ona-Ara, Oluyole, Ibadan North, Akinyele, Lagelu, Egbeda, Ido, Ogbomoso South, Iseyin, Afijio, Ogbomoso North, Oyo West and Oyo East local government areas.

“Over the four-day operation, the team inspected a total of 590 premises, comprising 164 pharmacies, 170 patent medicine stores, and 256 illegal outlets,” Suleiman Chiroma said.

He warned that several facilities were found unlawfully storing and dispensing medicines beyond their approved scope of operation.

“This constitutes a breach with immediate public safety implications, including but not limited to potential poisoning, drug abuse and addiction epidemics, and compromise of the integrity of the national drug distribution system,” he stated.

The enforcement chief explained that the council was acting within its legal mandate to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, which regulate how medicines move from manufacturers and importers to end users.

Suleiman Chiroma said the framework was designed to guarantee safe storage, proper handling and the effectiveness of medicines throughout the supply chain.

The council also revealed alarming statistics from the operation, noting that illegal drug outlets accounted for 42 per cent of all premises inspected and 64 per cent of those sealed.

According to Suleiman Chiroma, the figures highlighted the dangerous prevalence of unlicensed medicine outlets in Oyo State and underscored the urgent need for stricter regulation.

He added that only 36 per cent of pharmacies visited during the operation were in good regulatory standing.

“Many pharmacies did not complete registration after payment of the statutory fees,” he said.

The council listed several violations discovered during the exercise, including failure to produce valid licences, operating illegal premises, engaging in unauthorised clinical practices and obstructing pharmaceutical inspectors from carrying out official duties.

Authorities also cited the sale of medicines from prohibited wooden and metal containers as part of the documented offences.

Suleiman Chiroma stressed that the enforcement exercise was critical to eliminating substandard and falsified medicines from circulation and protecting public health.

“The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria remains resolute in its mandate to uphold integrity within the pharmaceutical practice environment,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to purchase medicines only from approved and licensed outlets displaying valid PCN licences.

Suleiman Chiroma further disclosed that the Registrar of the council, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, had reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening healthcare reforms and supporting universal health coverage through access to safe and quality medicines.

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The enforcement team also thanked residents of Oyo State for their cooperation throughout the operation, describing public support as vital to safeguarding healthcare standards and consumer safety.