Pharmacy Watchdog Seals Five Firms

FOR failing to comply with standards, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed the premises of five pharmaceutical companies in Imo State.

Eleven others received strict directives to comply with the laws of the council.

Briefing journalists at the weekend in Owerri, after inspection of several drug firms in the state, the leader of the team and a Deputy Director in the council, Mrs. Anthonia Aruya, who was accompanied by the Secretary of the Drug Distribution Inspection Committee (DDIC), Stephen Esumobi, said the companies fell short of the expectations of the council.

She said that the sealed companies would remain so until they comply. She also said that the 11 that were issued directives must show evidence of compliance with relevant law before they can be certified okay.

Aruya said that according to PCN’s functions, the council is obliged not to release the names of the sealed or cautioned companies, adding that the action is corrective and not punitive.

“Imo State is no exception, as many of the premises visited failed to fulfill the requirements of the law, and hence five were sealed and 11 were issued directives to comply with. The PCN enjoins the public and all stakeholders involved to put hands on deck to sanitise the chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria.”