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Pharmacy
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The Pharmacists Council
of Nigeria (PCN) in its bid to regulate and control the education and practice
of pharmacy took to the streets of Kaduna during its national enforcement week
to combat illicit practices.
The
Guardian Nigeria report continues:
The
PCN is charged with the responsibility of regulating and controlling, practice
of pharmacy in all aspects and ramifications to ensure rational distribution
and dispensing of medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality to the
public.
To
this end, the Council said it has sealed off a total of 373 premises made up of
15 illegal Pharmacies and 358 Patent Medicine Stores for various offences some
of which are operating without registration with PCN, failure to renew premises
license, dispensing ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist,
poor sanitary conditions among others.
Speaking
in Kaduna was Director and Head of Inspection and Monitoring Department PCN,
Mrs Anthonia Aruya said: “Five arrests were made for offences ranging from
obstruction of inspectors and breaking of seal which is a criminal offence.”
Aruya
said that the Council in Kaduna State observed 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,” she said.
She
added: “This exposes the public to serious danger. Others do not have the
requisite knowledge or technical know-how to handle the highly ethical drugs in
their facilities. This exercise is part of efforts by the PCN to reverse this
ugly trend and improve on the level of pharmaceutical services delivery to the
good people of Kaduna State.”
Aruya
said that the PCN enforcement teams stormed Kaduna State visiting various parts
of Kaduna including Barnawa, Mando, Kawo, HanyinBanki, UnguwanMuazu, Kikinau,
Sabo, Kakuri, Makera, UnguwanDosa, Badarawa, Unguwan Sanusi, Badiko, Tundun
Wada, Kamazo, Unguwan Boro, Television, Unguwan Sarki, Malali, UnguwanRimi,
Rigasa, Kurmi-Mashi, Unguwan Pama, Unguwan Sunday, Romi, Kabala West, Kabala
Costain, Abakwau, Unguwan Kanawa, Unguwan Shehu, Narayi, Unguwan Maigero, Gonin
Gora and Karatudun.
She
confirmed the large turnouts of owners of unregistered facilities visiting the
PCN, Kaduna zonal office to regularize their registration status since the
commencement of the exercise.
“The
PCN is making every effort to promptly attend to them and unseal their
facilities in line with laid down guidelines,” said Aruya.
The
Director further stated that the PCN cannot guarantee that drugs sold in
unregistered outlets are of the same integrity as specified by the
manufacturers since they have not submitted to regulation that ensures
maintenance of minimum standards for handling such products.
Aruyaadvised:
“Members of the public are advised to purchase their medicines from licensed Pharmacies
and simple household remedies from licensed patent and propriety medicines
vendor shops while those intending to start pharmaceutical business should get
in touch with the PCN head office located at Plot 7/9, Idu Industrial Layout,
Abuja or any of our state and Zonal offices for proper guidance.’’
She commended the press, the Nigerian Police force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, for their co-operation in this exercise and also appeals to them to continue to partner with PCN in its effort to ensure sanity in the drug distribution system.
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