PCN seals 724 facilities in Kwara, warns against unlicensed medicine outlets

By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) sealed 724 pharmaceutical and patent medicine facilities in Kwara State during a statewide enforcement exercise, and cautioned the public against using unlicensed medicine outlets.

Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, the Registrar of the Council, delivered the warning in Ilorin at a press briefing that outlined the results of the four‑day operation.

The exercise covered 10 local government areas: Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Asa, Offa, Ifelodun, Oyun, Moro, Irepodun and Edu.

During the inspection of 1,238 premises—167 pharmacies, 957 patent medicine stores and 114 illegal outlets—724 were sealed. The sealed sites included 68 pharmacies, 542 patent medicine stores and all 114 illegal outlets, while 11 compliance directives were issued.

Ahmed noted that only 9 per cent of the inspected premises were found to be operating illegally, describing the figure as a relatively low rate that indicates improved regulatory compliance in the state.

He added that 59.2 per cent of pharmacies inspected were fully compliant with regulatory standards, compared to 43 per cent of patent medicine vendors.

The Registrar explained that breaches uncovered during the exercise included operating without valid PCN licences, poor storage conditions, unauthorised handling of controlled medicines, and other violations that could endanger public health.

He warned that such practices could lead to treatment failures, antimicrobial resistance, diversion of controlled drugs and other security risks.

Ahmed urged Nigerians to obtain medicines only from duly licensed premises, stressing that valid PCN licences must be visibly displayed for verification.

He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening the regulation of pharmaceutical practice and supporting the Federal Government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda, noting that safe and quality‑assured medicines remain critical to effective healthcare delivery.

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