The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) closed 505 medicine shops in Cross River State after a recent inspection revealed extensive regulatory failures. During a four-day operation spanning 10 local government areas, officials examined 602 facilities and found nearly half were not meeting the required legal standards.
Dr. Suleiman S. Chiroma, speaking for the PCN registrar, explained that the shutdown affected 291 illegal medicine outlets, 54 pharmacies, and 160 patent medicine stores. While 13 businesses received warnings to fix minor issues, the council emphasized that enforcement is intensifying. This was highlighted by the recent eight-year prison sentence given to Ezea Asidora Kamchekwube for running unlicensed shops in Calabar.
The investigation uncovered serious issues such as poor storage, lack of valid permits, and the unauthorized handling of controlled substances by untrained staff. Dr. Chiroma warned that unqualified individuals operating these shops pose significant health risks, including antimicrobial resistance and failed treatments. He urged the public to only buy medications from stores that display official PCN permits.
The council remains committed to supporting national healthcare goals by ensuring that all citizens have access to secure, high-quality medication. Regular monitoring will continue across the state, and illegal operators should expect further interventions to remove unregistered businesses from the market.
