The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has shut down the illegal drug market at the Groundnut Pyramid, popularly known as Dalan-Gyada, along Katsina Road, Kano, following a four-day enforcement operation.
The council also sealed 797 premises across the state for various regulatory breaches, including eight pharmacies, 352 patent medicine stores and 437 illegal drug outlets.
The PCN Registrar, Ibrahim Ahmed, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists after the exercise. He was represented by the council’s Head of Enforcement, Suleiman Chiroma.
Ahmed said medicines sold at the Dalan-Gyada cluster could not be guaranteed to meet required standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
“Over the four-day operation, the team inspected a total of 1,153 premises, comprising 16 pharmacies, 700 patent medicine stores and 437 illegal outlets,” he said.
“Consequently, 797 premises were sealed, including eight pharmacies, 352 patent medicine stores and 437 illegal outlets. In addition, six compliance directives were issued.
“The Council also shut down the illegal drug cluster at Dalan-Gyada, Katsina Road.”
According to him, the 437 illegal outlets represented 38 per cent of the premises sealed during the operation, while all the illegal premises identified were closed in line with the law.
He added that only half of the pharmacies inspected were fully compliant with regulatory requirements, highlighting the need for stronger monitoring of licensed operators.
The enforcement exercise, which constituted the second phase of the council’s operation in Kano, focused on Dalan-Gyada and local government areas outside the metropolis.
The affected local government areas included Bichi, Tsanyawa, Gwarzo, Wudil, Gaya, Ajingi, Kiru, Tudun Wada, Ungogo, Bebeji, Garun Mallam, Kura, Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa, Takai, Rimin Gado, Bagwai, Shanono, Kabo, Gezawa, Gabasawa, Dambatta, Makoda, Minjibir, Warawa, Rano, Kibiya and Bunkure.
Chiroma said the exercise exposed the limited availability of pharmaceutical services in the state, noting that pharmacies accounted for only 1.37 per cent of the 1,153 premises inspected.
He assured residents that the council would continue enforcement operations and place all premises involved in the handling, storage and dispensing of medicines under strict regulatory supervision.
“Breach of any extant regulation will be met with prompt and appropriate enforcement action by the Council,” he said.
The council urged members of the public to purchase medicines only from premises licensed by the PCN.
It also commended Kano residents for their cooperation, saying sustained collaboration was necessary to ensure access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines.
