358 medicine stores sealed in Taraba for unethical dispensation
An exercise conducted by the Pharmacists council of Nigeria has led to the closure of 358 medicine stores in Taraba state. The regulatory body says it reached this decision after a thorough inspection of about 539 premises which comprised 487 Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors and 52 pharmacies in the state.
According to the Director of Inspection and Monitoring of the agency, Pharm. Mrs. Anthonia Aruya, the move was in continuation of a nationwide effort to ensure proper provision of good pharmaceutical service. She noted that 30 states have been covered so far in Nigeria.
Among the sealed premises are 351 PPMVs and 7 pharmacies. Their offences ranged from improper handling of controlled substances, unhygienic environment, poor documentation and dispensing of ethical prescription drugs without the presence of a pharmacists, Mrs. Aruya revealed.
With this operation, it’s worthy of note that there are only 136 PPMV stores and 45 pharmacies left in the state. This is obviously too small to cater to the needs of the entire population and it is expected that some of these sealed stores would upgrade their services and be reopened.
It is commendable that the agency is carrying out the exercise to curb unethical dispensation of controlled drugs across the nation.
