1,550 fake medicine outlets shut in Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa

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Data obtained from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria on Tuesday revealed that the council sealed a total of 1,550 pharmacies, patent medicine shops and illegal medicine outlets across Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Kano states in a sweeping crackdown aimed at sanitising Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.

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Details of the enforcement activities obtained by our correspondent showed that the operations were conducted between January and May 12, 2026, with surveillance and enforcement exercises carried out in the Mararaba/Karu axis bordering the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State, as well as in Kaduna and Kano states.

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The latest crackdown comes amid mounting concerns over the proliferation of unregistered medicine outlets, self-medication and the circulation of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria, a challenge health experts say continues to undermine healthcare delivery and contribute to avoidable deaths.

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According to the council, Kaduna recorded 598 sealed premises, Kano accounted for 821 sealed outlets, while 131 premises were shut in Nasarawa State.

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The PCN said the enforcement exercises targeted pharmacies and patent medicine shops operating in violation of regulatory standards, including illegal premises run by unqualified persons.

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In Nasarawa State, the council conducted what it described as a surveillance exercise between March 30 and April 2, 2026, across the Mararaba/Karu axis, a rapidly growing commercial and residential corridor known for its large concentration of informal medicine vendors serving residents of both Nasarawa and the FCT.

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During the operation, 272 premises were visited, comprising 121 pharmacies, 118 patent medicine shops and 33 illegal patent medicine shops.

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Out of the total inspected facilities, 131 premises were sealed, including 16 wholesale pharmacies, 31 community pharmacies, 51 patent medicine shops and all 33 illegal patent medicine shops identified during the exercise.

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The council also sealed one hospital pharmacy, issued seven compliance directives and made one arrest.

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In Kaduna State, where enforcement activities were conducted between April 13 and 17, the PCN inspected 828 premises, including 123 pharmacies, 631 patent medicine shops and 74 illegal patent medicine shops.

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The council said 598 premises were sealed in the state, comprising 68 pharmacies, 456 patent medicine shops and 74 illegal patent medicine shops.

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Seven compliance directives were issued to operators, while two arrests were made during the operation.

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Similarly, in Kano State, the council inspected 1,140 premises between April 27 and 30, including 114 pharmacies, 869 patent medicine shops and 166 illegal patent medicine shops.

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The enforcement exercise led to the sealing of 821 premises, including 68 pharmacies, 587 patent medicine shops and 166 illegal patent medicine shops.

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The council also issued 10 compliance directives and recorded one arrest during the Kano operation.

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Altogether, the PCN said it visited 2,240 premises across the three states and made four arrests.

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The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, established to regulate pharmacy education, training and practice in the country, has in recent years intensified enforcement activities amid increasing concerns about the activities of unlicensed medicine dealers and open drug markets.

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Nigeria continues to battle a significant burden of counterfeit and substandard medicines, particularly antibiotics, antimalarial drugs and controlled substances sold through unregulated channels.

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Public health experts warn that the widespread availability of medicines from illegal outlets contributes to antimicrobial resistance, treatment failures and rising cases of drug abuse.

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The challenge is particularly acute in densely populated urban settlements and border communities where patent medicine shops often serve as the first point of healthcare for many residents due to poverty, inadequate health facilities and shortages of trained healthcare professionals.

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Regulators have also repeatedly raised concerns over the indiscriminate sale of prescription-only medicines by unqualified vendors, noting that many illegal operators store drugs under poor conditions and dispense medications without proper diagnosis or professional supervision.

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In recent years, the Federal Government has stepped up efforts to reform the pharmaceutical distribution system through the National Drug Distribution Guidelines and coordinated enforcement exercises involving the PCN and security agencies.

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The council has consistently maintained that only duly registered pharmacies and licensed patent medicine vendors are authorised to dispense medicines within the limits of their approved scope of practice.

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Health stakeholders say sustained enforcement, public awareness campaigns and improved access to affordable healthcare will be critical to reducing dependence on illegal medicine vendors and protecting Nigerians from unsafe pharmaceutical products.

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