The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, on Friday, said its enforcement team sealed off a total of 381 pharmacies and patent shops in Akwa Ibom for various offences.

The Director and Head of Enforcement Department, PCN, Stephen Esumobi, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Uyo, said most of the affected shops were sealed off for operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates, unauthorised sale of medicines of abuse, and poor access control to the poison cupboard.

Other offences, according to him, are poor storage facilities and temperature control, and stocking and sale of prescription and other ethical products by patent medicine vendors, among others.

He said the enforcement team, in continuation of the current drive by the council to streamline the drug distribution system, visited 727 premises comprising 559 patent medicine shops and 168 pharmacies.

Esumobi stated, “The PCN enforcement team has been in Akwa Ibom State since the beginning of the week in continuation of the current drive by the council to streamline the drug distribution system in the country.

“The team visited the following local government areas; Uyo and its environs, Ikono, Abak, Itu, Eket, Ibesikpo/Asutan, Ikot Ekpene and Oron. At the end of the exercise, a total of 727 premises were visited. This comprises 559 patent medicines shops and 168 pharmacies.

“A total of 381 premises were sealed, comprising 52 pharmacies and 329 patent medicine stores. A total of 16 compliance directives were issued.

“All registered premises are expected to display their current premises certificates or evidence of registration conspicuously within the premises to enable members of the public to know the status of the premises where they buy their medicine.

“Premises certificates shall be renewed on or before January 31 of every year and it is an offence for any premises to operate without registration or renewal of their premises certificates.’’