By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja – The House of Representatives has urged the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and Federal Ministry of Health to commence immediate closure of unregistered pharmaceutical shops in the country.
The House made the call in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja by the council’s Registrar, Mr Elijah Mohammed, on Friday.
The House, which decried the nefarious activities of unqualified individuals in the trade and distribution of drugs resulting in increase in the prevalence of fake drugs, also urged the council to discipline erring members.
It noted “the infiltration of the pharmaceutical practice by unqualified persons and the attendant unprofessional services being rendered by these people have resulted to the death of countless number of innocent Nigerians.
“Also counting the economic losses due to the supply and purchase of fake, expired and unwholesome drugs and medicine.”
The House further decried the activities of some spiritual and healing homes masquerading as worship centres or charity homes operate freely as drugs and medicines dispensaries.
It emphasised that some local manufacturers of drugs and medicines use all sorts of rickety vehicles to advertise and sell their drugs and medicines.
According to the statement, these unprofessional ways of warehousing, distribution and dispensing of drugs and medicines serve as channels for the infiltration of quacks into the pharmacy profession and a major challenge to public health.
The House emphasised that in pursuant to Act P17 LFN 2004 and other relevant Pharmacy and Drugs Laws of the Federation, the council has the mandate to inspect, approve and license premises where pharmaceutical activities take place.
These activities, according to the statement, included manufacturing, importation, distribution, wholesale and retail pharmaceutical premises and patent and proprietary medicine vendor shops.
“We urge the Federal Ministry of Health and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria to commence inspection of all pharmaceutical shops with a view to closing down all those that are not duly registered and sanction defaulters.
“The House acknowledged the categories of pharmaceutical shops and the scope of their practice as well as the peculiar needs of each in terms of man power, equipment and premises specification.
“But we express concern that one-room apartment pharmaceutical shops, otherwise known as `chemist shops’ exist in all sort of locations and buildings which lack basic facilities and in most cases manned by laymen.
“It is also common in cities and villages to see drugs displayed for sales in public places such as motor parks, among others,’’ the House said.
Mohammed expressed gratitude to the House describing the resolution as timely.
According to him, it came at a time when the Council had stepped up its enforcement activities.
“This resolution served to strengthen the Council in flushing out quacks and will help to win the needed peace in the pharmacy practice environment,’’ Mohammed said.