66 pharmacies, 313 medicines shops sealed in Rivers

The disclosure was made by the Director and Head of Enforcement Department, PCN, Mr. Stephen Esumobi, when he briefed newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday.

The director of the national enforcement team stated that most of the premises were sealed  for different offences, which included  operating without registration, or renewal of premises certificates and unauthorized sale of medicines of abuse.

He further said that the affected premises were among the 543 shops the council visited and at the end of the exercise, a total of nine compliance directives were issued to the owners or operators.

Esumobi said: “Most if the premises were sealed for offences which include operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates, unauthorized sale of medicines of abuse, poor access control to the Poison Cupboards, poor storage facilities, stocking and sale of prescription and other ethical products by Patent Medicine Vendors among others.”

According to him, the 379 premises sealed were in Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas, adding that the activities of operators and owners of the affected shops were a threat to public health.

He expressed: “In spite of the efforts of the council in Rivers State, so many patent medicine shop owners and other stakeholders, have chosen to operate in total disregard for public safety. Most patent vendors are not registered with PCN and engage in activities far beyond their scope thereby endangering public health.”

Esumobi, however, advised Rivers residents to source all drug needs from registered and currently licensed pharmacies and over-the-counter medicines from registered patent medicine shops.

He thanked the state Ministry of Health, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and  Department of the State Security (DSS) for the collaboration in the  enforcement exercise.