The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 498 pharmaceutical premises across Lagos State for violating regulations governing pharmacy practice and the handling of medicines in the country.

The affected premises include 215 pharmacies, 83 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops, according to the PCN’s Head of Enforcement, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, who briefed journalists on Thursday at the Council’s zonal office in Yaba, Lagos.

Chiroma said the action followed a week-long enforcement exercise conducted across 20 local government areas, including Ikeja, Apapa, Ikorodu, Alimosho, Surulere, and Lagos Island.

He explained that the exercise was part of the PCN’s ongoing efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s drug distribution system and curb the proliferation of unlicensed and substandard medicine outlets.

“During the enforcement exercise, 845 premises were inspected, comprising 483 pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops. Out of these, 498 were sealed for contravening various regulatory provisions,” Chiroma stated.

The infractions included operating unregistered premises, failure to renew licenses, engaging in unauthorised clinical practices, improper storage of controlled medicines, and wholesalers conducting retail sales—all in violation of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.

He added that 29 other premises received compliance directives to correct identified lapses and meet regulatory standards.

Chiroma expressed concern over the growing trend of unregulated access to controlled substances by non-pharmacist staff in some outlets, warning that such practices endanger public safety and could lead to drug abuse or diversion.

“We observed that in several outlets, controlled medicines and poisons were not securely stored as required by law. This poses serious risks to public health,” he warned.