PCN shuts 3000 open drug markets, arrests 10

The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has arrested 10 persons for dispensing illicit drugs and closed down 3000 open drugs markets responsible for the distribution of the drugs in the country.

The Registrar of the Council, Pharm Ibrahim Ahmed Baba Shehu, who stated this yesterday in Minna, said that the Council has put in place measures to sanitise drug markets by closing all sources of open drug dispensing facilities to curb the menace of illicit drugs dealing in the country.

He said that PCN has within a period of seven months effected the closure of open drugs markets in Sabon Gari, Kano; Idimota in Lagos and Under Bridge in Onitsha.

“I can assure you that we are not only closing down these open drugs markets but we are replacing them with regulated facilities where drugs would be properly stormed, handled and sold to retailers. And this is where we are talking about coordinated wholesale centres”, he added.

The Registrar explained that the coordinated wholesale facility in Kano has been completed, adding that it would be opened in June or July this year, while that of Lagos is in progress.

Earlier while on a courtesy call on Niger State, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, stressed the need for effective enforcement of regulations on dispensation of drugs especially those prohibited on open carter unless on prescription.

Governor Sani Bello lamented that quack pharmacists have been responsible for the sale of illicit drugs to youths in the state saying that “this is very disturbing, it has also affected the security of our state”.

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