Ogun State Government has threatened to sanction fake pharmaceutical operators in the state, says it would no longer tolerate their illegal activities in the gateway state.
Dr Kayode Oladehinde, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health said this during the 8th Mandatory Orientation Programme for Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors in the state. The programme was organised by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, in partnership with the state’s Ministry of Health.
The Permanent Secretary expressed concern over the growing operations of illegal pharmacy premises and patent medicine stores, especially in the border towns and villages in the state.
He stated that the pharmaceutical inspectors in the state had been given authority to deal with persons who were illegally distributing prescription medications.
The Permanent Secretary, represented by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Ministry of Health and the Chairman of the Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor License Committee in Ogun State, Kayode Shotunde, stated that the ministry had discovered illegal pharmaceutical operations throughout the state and that anyone found to be culpable would be dealt with.
Oladehinde said, “We will impose strict sanctions which include; sealing of the premises, imposition of fines, and litigation in court on operators that do not have a license or engage in practices that contravene the rules and regulations of the PCN.”
He further stated that the government of Governor Dapo Abiodun would continue to create an enabling environment for key stakeholders in the delivery of safe pharmaceuticals to the people of the state.
In his remarks, PCN Registrar Ibrahim Ahmed, represented by Zonal Director Dr. Yejide Oseni, stated that the council had put in place machinery to ensure that the conditions of its guidelines were followed.
Oseni stated that only licensed shops would be permitted to offer simple household medicines throughout the country.
Titilayo Adegbenro, one of the workshop participants, thanked the organizers for giving patent medicine store owners the opportunity to learn more about the medication distribution industry.
