By Fatima Mukhtar
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has intensified its clampdown on unlicensed pharmaceutical operations, sealing no fewer than 6,705 drug outlets nationwide over the past 20 months.
The Council disclosed that the closures followed various breaches, including operating without registration, unauthorized sale of prescription medicines, stocking drugs outside approved categories, and running shops without the supervision of qualified pharmacists.
A breakdown of the enforcement exercise showed that between January and December 2024, the PCN inspected 6,225 premises, out of which 4,115 were sealed. From January to August 2025, another 3,343 outlets were visited, with 2,290 shut down for similar violations.
The Council further revealed that arrests linked to illegal operations also increased, rising from 10 in 2024 to 13 within the first eight months of 2025.
Registrar of the Council, Ibrahim Ahmed, emphasized that the ongoing operation is part of efforts to safeguard public health and enforce standards in the pharmaceutical industry.
About The Author
