The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has described drug abuse and uncontrolled access to medicines as a major national security concern, warning that the growing menace is contributing to rising cases of crime, violence and substance addiction across the country.
This came during a press conference held at the PCN Zonal Office in Ibadan after a four day enforcement exercise across Oyo State, the Head of Enforcement Department of the Council, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, said unrestricted access to controlled medicines has contributed to the growing rate of drug abuse among youths, school children and other vulnerable groups in the society.
Dr. Chiroma explained that when medicines meant to be dispensed strictly on doctors’ prescriptions are freely sold in unregulated
market, many people abuse such drugs for emotional relief, sleep induction and recreational purposes, eventually becoming
addiction. The widespread abuse of controlled medicines has become a dangerous trend capable of threatening national peace and security.
He noted that many violent crimes and senseless killings witnessed in parts of the country are linked to substance abuse, stressing that government must begin to treat drug abuse as a major national security challenge., adding that bandits and criminal elements often operate under the influence of dangerous substances, making strict control of medicines necessary to protect the society.
The Council maintained that medicines must only be dispensed by licensed pharmacists through authorised prescriptions, warning that illegal handling of drugs exposes the public to poisoning, addiction and other health complications.
Dr. Chiroma said the PCN has therefore intensified enforcement against shops and outlets found illegally stocking or dispensing controlled medicines.
The enforcement exercise, which commenced on Monday, covered Ona Ara, Oluyole, Ibadan North, Akinyele, Lagelu, Egbeda, Ido, Ogbomoso South, Iseyin, Afijio, Ogbomoso North, Oyo West and Oyo East Local Government Areas of Oyo State. During the operation, the Council inspected 590 premises comprising 164 pharmacies, 170 patent medicine stores and 256 illegal outlets.
At the end of the exercise, 397 premises were sealed, including 60 pharmacies, 81 patent medicine stores and 256 illegal medicine outlets, while five compliance directives were issued. The Council disclosed that illegal outlets accounted for 42 percent of the premises visited and 64 percent of all facilities sealed during the operation, describing the development as a serious threat to public health in the state.
The PCN further revealed that only 36 percent of pharmacies inspected were in good regulatory standing, lamenting that many operators failed to complete their registration processes despite payment of statutory fees. The affected premises were sanctioned for offences including operating without valid licences, engaging in unauthorised clinical practices, overstocking medicines beyond approved limits, selling medicines from prohibited containers and obstructing pharmaceutical inspectors from carrying out official duties.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to sanitising the pharmaceutical sector and ensuring Nigerians have access to safe and quality medicines through approved channels, stressing that the enforcement of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines remains crucial to eliminating fake, substandard and falsified medicines from circulation.
Dr. Chiroma also highlighted the roles of the PCN, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, explaining that while NAFDAC regulates pharmaceutical products and NDLEA handles illicit drugs such as cannabis and methamphetamine, the PCN regulates pharmacy premises, personnel and professional practices across the country.
The Council appreciated residents of Oyo State for supporting the enforcement team throughout the operation and urged Nigerians to buy medicines only from licensed and approved premises with valid PCN licences .
