The Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Committee (PIC) in Kogi State has taken action to shut down over 100 medicine stores that were operating illegally in the state between January and September 2023. This information was disclosed by Dr. Lawal Muhammed Omuya, the Kogi State Vice Chairman of PIC and Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in the state, as part of the activities marking World Pharmacist Day, celebrated under the theme “Pharmacists Strengthening the Health System.”
Dr. Omuya explained that PIC in Kogi State comprises members from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, and the staff of the State Ministry of Health. The committee is dedicated to combating quackery in pharmaceutical practice in the state.
Quackery in pharmaceutical practice, according to Dr. Omuya, can be categorized into professional and facilities-related issues. The professional aspect involves individuals, both educated and non-educated, presenting themselves as pharmacists and attempting to perform the roles of pharmacists without proper qualifications. The facilities-related issue pertains to illegal drug stores that may give the impression of being registered pharmacies but do not adhere to the standards of pharmacy practice.
To address these concerns, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, has established Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Committees in all 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These committees routinely monitor and inspect pharmaceutical facilities to ensure compliance with standards and regulations. When illegal facilities are discovered, they are shut down and sealed. Licensed facilities that fail to meet the required standards are given a compliance directive and, if they cannot meet the standards within the specified timeframe, they are also shut down.
Dr. Omuya emphasized the importance of ensuring sanity in healthcare delivery and noted that individuals engaged in pharmaceutical practice without the proper qualifications would face legal consequences. This enforcement action has resulted in the closure of over 100 illegally operating medicine stores and the arrest of individuals involved in quackery.
Dr. Omuya also appealed to the Kogi State Government to collaborate with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations by providing necessary support, such as security, transportation, and logistical assistance.
World Pharmacist Day, celebrated on September 25th annually, commemorates the founding of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in 1912. It serves as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of pharmacists in healthcare and promote their vital role in improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. The theme for World Pharmacist Day is chosen by the FIP Bureau each year, and this year’s theme highlights the role of pharmacists in strengthening the health system.