PCN Seals 498 Illegal Medicine Shops Across Lagos

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has taken decisive action by sealing 498 medicine premises across Lagos State as part of a comprehensive enforcement exercise targeting unlawful pharmaceutical practices. The week-long operation, spanning 20 local government areas, aimed to ensure strict adherence to the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act No. 31 of 2022 and the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.

During the crackdown, a total of 845 medicine outlets were inspected, including 483 pharmacies, 162 patent medicine stores, and 200 illegal medicine shops. Of these, PCN sealed 215 pharmacies, 83 patent medicine outlets, and all 200 illegal shops for various regulatory violations such as operating without registration, failure to renew licences, illegal sale of controlled drugs, and unauthorized clinical activities.

Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, PCN’s Head of Enforcement, speaking at a press conference at the PCN Zonal Office in Yaba, Lagos, stressed that the exercise was crucial for sanitising the sector and protecting public health. He highlighted persistent issues like the illegal training of apprentices, wholesalers breaching licensing terms by engaging in retail sales, and unsafe storage of poisonous drugs, which pose significant public safety risks.

Chiroma further warned against unregulated access to controlled medicines by non-pharmacist staff, underscoring the legal requirement that poisonous substances be securely locked away to prevent potential harm. He urged Lagos residents to patronise only licensed and properly supervised premises, which prominently display current licences, to reduce risks associated with counterfeit or substandard medicines.

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The enforcement covered major local government areas including Agege, Alimosho, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Mushin, Apapa, Badagry, Ojo, Surulere, and Eti-Osa among others. Alongside the sealed premises, 29 outlets were served compliance directives to address identified irregularities.

Addressing allegations of ethnic bias in the licensing process, Dr. Taiwo Filusi, Director of the PCN Lagos Zonal Office, refuted claims of discrimination, confirming that licensing and inspections are handled strictly on merit, with no ethnic considerations. He noted that patent medicine vendors of Igbo extraction are well represented in Lagos and that approvals depend solely on compliance and application timelines.

This enforcement drive aligns with PCN’s sustained efforts nationwide to clamp down on illegal pharmaceutical activities. Between January 2024 and August 2025, the council sealed over 6,700 illegal pharmaceutical premises and arrested 23 individuals as part of ongoing measures to safeguard healthcare delivery and public safety in Nigeria.

The PCN continues to emphasize the importance of professional oversight in medicine handling to prevent health hazards associated with counterfeit drugs and irrational drug use. The council calls on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious pharmaceutical operations to relevant authorities to help build a safer healthcare system in Lagos and beyond.

This operation is widely supported by industry stakeholders, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, who recognize the clampdown as a vital step in protecting public health and ensuring access to quality medicines.