About 321 pharmacies in Bayelsa state have been closed down by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria for various offenses which include sales of drugs without following due process.
News agency of Nigeria reports that monitoring and sanctions have been embarked upon by the council in other 27 states, making Bayelsa the 28th.
Mrs. Anthonia Aruya, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria’s Director of Inspection and Monitoring revealed this during a news conference in Abuja.
She said, “About 321 premises were sealed, comprising 36 pharmacies, 285 patent medicine stores, 13 premises of seven Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors.
“Six premises were given compliance directives for various offenses ranging from improper handling of controlled substances, unhygienic environment, poor documentation, as well as dispensing ethical and prescription drugs without the presence of a pharmacist.
“Observations from the field in Bayelsa revealed that many people go into sales of medicines without following due process.
“Others do not have the requisite knowledge or skills to handle medicines in their premises or are operating beyond their approved scope by the Federal Government, which is inappropriate,” she concluded.
She appealed to Nigerians to ensure they purchase drugs from registered pharmacies as there is no guarantee those bought from unregistered outlets are genuine.
Source: NAN
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