A total number of 434 pharmacies and patent shops, operating illegally in Jos the Plateau State capital, have been discovered and sealed by officials of the enforcement unit, of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria.
The affected pharmacies and patent shops were closed down for different offences including, poor hygienic environment, poor documentation, improper regularisation of papers, and improper behavior within their business premises.
The Pharmacist Council of Nigeria is the Federal government agency that is responsible for the regulation and controlling the education, training, and practice of Pharmacy since its establishment.
The non professionals in the Pharmaceutical drug business, have identified wholesale as one of the major factors serving as major threat to public health in Nigeria.
The access to drugs due to illegal as not been controlled and it has had its own impact on the increase in crime in the country in recent times.
The enforcement group guarded by security operatives, went around the various streets of Jos and Bukuru metropolis in search of illegal operators of the business.
While at the field, Newsmen gathered from the operatives, where several patent shops found to have broken the law were sealed by the enforcers.
As the exercise ends, it was discovered that many wholesale pharmacies and patent medicine shops, not licensed by the council, have been operating illegally.
The team director summarize to journalists on the situation and actions taken by them.
Members of the public are advised to purchase their drugs from licensed pharmacies and simple household remedies from certified patent medicine shops.