The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has closed 531 medicine outlets in Abuja for various violations, such as not being registered, poor record-keeping, and selling ethical products without a pharmacist’s supervision.
Stephen Esumobi, the Director of Enforcement, announced this to reporters in Abuja on Friday.
Esumobi stated that the council’s national enforcement team visited 908 places, including pharmacies and medicine shops, during a week-long operation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They shut down 531 places, which included 90 pharmacies, 144 patent medicine shops, and 297 illegal medicine shops.
He also said the PCN is working on new technology to help people access their medications more quickly.
“PCN is developing software for people to source their drugs anywhere they are,” he said.
Esumobi stressed that while Artificial Intelligence can aid medical practices, it cannot replace human interaction, especially when communication is needed.
He urged the public to report any illegal drugstores or practitioners through the PCN website.
The PCN regulates pharmacy education, training, and practice in Nigeria according to the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022.
They also provide training and education for owners of patent medicine shops to ensure they follow the law.
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