The Pharmacist Council of Nigeria has sealed 340 premises and stores in Edo State over non-compliance with guidelines on distribution of patent medicine.

The PCN’s Director of Enforcement, Stephen Esumobi, who stood in for the Registrar, Elijah Mohammed, at a press conference on Thursday in Benin said 256 patent medicines vendors shops and 84 pharmacies were sealed. He also stated that 22 compliance directives were issued to premises for various offence ranging from poor sanitary condition, poor documentation to non display of premises and pharmacist annual licences.

He said that this is the first phase of activities of the PCN put in place to streamline the drug distribution system and improve the level of pharmaceutical service to the people of the state.

He stated, “I must tell you that 256 patent medicines vendor shops and 84 pharmacies were sealed in Edo. The actions we have carried out is not meant to punish operators of these medicine store and pharmacies but to ensure they comply with the rules guiding the distribution of drugs. However, further action will be taken in due course as the PCN is committed to ensuring the full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.

“The PCN has put in place guidelines derived from the enabling act to guide the distribution of medicines from the manufacturers and importers until the get to the end users. It is important that all stakeholders comply accordingly in the interest of public safety.”

The Registrar urged the public to source their medicine from registered and currently licenced pharmacies and over the counter medicines stores as drugs sold in unregistered outlets cannot be guaranteed to be genuine due to the effect of poor handling and exposure to environmental factors that degrade them.