The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, has expressed deep concern over the activities of illegal medicine dealers in Lagos State despite efforts by the Council and government to eradicate it.
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Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the Deputy Director (Enforcement) of PCN, Mr. Stephen Esumobi, while giving an update on the enforcement activities of the regulating body, said some parts of Lagos State have continued to be hotbed of activities of illegal medicine dealers.
Among the areas listed by Esumobi are; Satellite Town, Ojo, Ijesha, Ilasamaja, Ijora, Badiya, Ajegunle, Kirikiri, Alaba, Okokomaiko, New Era Town, and Ajamgbadi, Morogbo.
Others are; Ijanikin, Badagary, Dopemu, Agege, Ipaja, Igando, Orile-Iganmu and Ikotun.
He noted that there was improvement in compliance with the laws regulating the establishment and operation of pharmacies in Lagos State.
The Deputy Director, however, added that some pharmaceutical premises that were sealed off in the past enforcement activities in the state had secretly resumed operation despite not complying with the conditions laid down.
According to him, “Many pharmaceutical premises in these areas commenced operations without fulfilling the minimum requirements for registration, while others failed to renew their licences.
“Some of the owners of these premises lack the requisite knowledge to handle the products in their shops.
“In so many cases, drugs are exposed to environmental conditions that alter their pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles, thus making them unsuitable for human consumption.
“Unfortunately, these products are freely sold to unsuspecting members of the public, thereby endangering their health.”
