PCN Shuts 498 Drug Shops In Lagos Over Illegal Operations

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 498 medicine premises across Lagos State for breaching pharmacy regulations, including operating illegal pharmacies, selling controlled drugs without approval, and failing to renew licences.

The action followed a week-long enforcement operation across 20 local government areas in the state, during which 845 premises were inspected — consisting of 483 pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores, and 200 unregistered drug outlets.

Speaking during a press briefing at the PCN Zonal Office in Yaba on Thursday, the Head of Enforcement, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, said the operation aimed to clean up the pharmaceutical sector and ensure full compliance with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act and the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.

He explained that of the 845 inspected premises, 498 were sealed for violating the law, while 29 others received compliance directives to address identified irregularities. The affected shops included 215 pharmacies, 83 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal drug outlets.

Common offences discovered during the inspection included operation of unregistered premises, expired licences, unauthorised access to controlled substances, unsafe storage of poisonous drugs, and illegal training of apprentices. Some wholesalers were also caught selling drugs directly to the public, contrary to their licence conditions.

Chiroma described unregulated access to controlled medicines by non-pharmacists as a worrying trend, warning that such lapses could endanger public safety. He urged residents to buy medicines only from licensed and verified pharmacies, noting that legitimate shops always display their valid registration certificates.

The enforcement covered major areas such as Agege, Alimosho, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Mushin, Apapa, Badagry, Ojo, Surulere, and Eti-Osa.

Meanwhile, the Director of the PCN Lagos Zonal Office, Dr. Taiwo Filusi, dismissed claims of ethnic bias in the council’s licensing process, describing the allegations as false. He said all applications are handled strictly on merit and in line with due process, regardless of tribe or background.

Filusi reaffirmed that the council’s focus remains ensuring that only qualified and licensed operators handle pharmaceutical products in Lagos to safeguard public health.