The Director of Enforcement, Stephen Esumobi, while disclosing this to journalists in Abuja, said the offences committed by the medicine outlets include operating without registration, poor documentation, and stocking of ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist
The PCN is the Federal Government parastatal charged with the responsibility of regulating and controlling the education, training and practice of pharmacy in all its aspects and ramifications in line with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022.
He noted that the council is working towards using technology to make drugs easily accessible to patients.
Esumobi also highlighted the importance of Artificial Intelligence in medical practices, noting that it cannot replace human activities, especially when verbal communication is required. He encouraged the public to report any suspected illegal drugstores or practitioners in their communities through the PCN website.
According to him, the PCN has established state and zonal offices, as well as Pharmaceutical Inspection Committees and Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors Licence Committees, to regulate and control the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria.