86 percent of pharmacies, patent medicine stores in Kaduna, illegal

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, has noted that over 86 per cent of pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Kaduna State is illegal.

The council noted with concern that the practice was detrimental to the health of the citizenry as most of those in the business do not consume what they were selling.

Addressing a news Conference in Kaduna, Pharm. (Mrs) Anthonia O. Aruya, Director Inspection and Monitoring, PCN, to mark its one week enforcement exercise in the state, said, “One of the core mandates of the PCN is ensuring rational distribution and dispensing of medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality to the public.  “Before a pharmaceutical facility commences operation, it must fulfill certain conditions in line with the PCN guidelines.

“First the facility is expected to apply for location approval. This is because not every location is suitable for Pharmaceutical business.

“When the location is approved, the premises will put the necessary structure in place for facility inspection.

“Also Pharmacies are expected to have pharmacists to supervise the dispensing of ethical products to members of the public.

“What we observed in Kaduna State is that so many premises commenced operations without fulfilling minimum requirements.

“Some of these premises store products in environments where the quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products cannot be guaranteed.