PCN seals 821 pharmacies, patent medicine stores in Kano 

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has sealed no fewer than 821 pharmaceutical premises in Kano over widespread violations of regulatory standards, in one of the largest enforcement operations in recent times.

The affected outlets include 68 pharmacies, 587 patent medicine stores, and 166 illegal drug shops, raising fresh concerns about the scale of unregulated medicine distribution in the state.

The Head of Enforcement at PCN, Sulaiman Chiroma, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing, stating that the operation targeted eight local government areas across the Kano metropolis.

According to Mr Chiroma, the enforcement exercise covered Kano Municipal, Gwale, Kumbotso, Nassarawa, Tarauni, Ungoggo, Dala, and Fagge, where inspectors examined a total of 1,140 premises.

“The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria is statutorily mandated to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines… ensuring that medicines move strictly through approved channels,” he said.

He explained that the closures were due to breaches such as failure to register with the council, lack of valid licences, and engagement in unauthorised clinical practices.

Arrest, sanctions and compliance gaps

Mr Chiroma revealed that one operator was arrested for obstructing officials and violating provisions of the PCN Act, while 10 compliance directives were issued during the four-day operation.

He described the proliferation of illegal medicine outlets, particularly in Kasuwan Kurmi and Kwangiri as alarming, noting that 46 non-compliant shops in those areas were permanently sealed.

“It is regrettable to note the proliferation of unauthorised pharmaceutical outlets… the matter was addressed with regulatory urgency,” he said.

Decline in illegal operations

Despite the scale of violations, the PCN reported signs of progress, with only 15 per cent of the 893 premises inspected found to be operating outside regulatory frameworks.

Additionally, 28 per cent of the outlets were fully compliant with national standards.

Mr Chiroma said the enforcement drive is gradually eliminating non-professional actors and improving drug storage and distribution practices.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector under the leadership of Registrar Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed.

He noted that the ongoing enforcement aligns with broader health sector reforms aimed at ensuring safe drug distribution and advancing Universal Health Coverage across the country.