Lagos shuts 20 pharmacies, patent medicine stores

The Lagos State task force on counterfeit, fake drugs and unwholesome processed foods has shut 20 pharmacies and patent medicine stores at Shomolu, Bariga, and Oworonshoki areas of the State.

In a statement on Thursday, The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi,  said the affected pharmacies and patent medicine stores were shut for violating regulations guiding the operations of pharmacies and patent medicine stores, including indulging in illegal practices and failing to comply with the regulatory standard.

Abayomi was quoted to have said this after reviewing the report of the recent monitoring, inspection, and enforcement exercises carried out by the task force.

He said, “The sealing of the affected pharmacies and patent medicine stores was in accordance with the provisions of Section C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Miscellaneous Provision Act of 1999.”

Furthermore, the Commissioner said that the affected pharmacies and patent medicine shops were also sealed for offences including inappropriate storage conditions of drugs, absence of licenced pharmacists during business hours, selling of drugs not on the approved list and the display of expired drugs for sale.

Abayomi noted that the law prohibits wholesaling of drugs by patent medicine vendors and also prohibits wholesalers from operating beyond their scope.

He promised that the activities of the state task force on fake drugs would not only be sustained but intensified until stakeholders in the pharmaceutical value chain appreciate the need to adhere strictly to the provisions of the law.