Kwara seeks tougher monitoring as PCN shuts 274 illegal drug stores

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The Kwara State Government has expressed concern over the discovery and closure of 724 illegal drug premises across the state by inspectors of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, describing the development as alarming despite commending the enforcement exercise.

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The government said the large number of illegal drug outlets uncovered during the operation highlighted the scale of unregulated medicine distribution in communities and raised serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of existing surveillance mechanisms.

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The government’s position was contained in a statement signed on Sunday by the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Abdulraheem Malik.

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Malik said the existence of hundreds of illegal drug premises suggested that many residents might have unknowingly patronised unauthorised medicine vendors for years, exposing themselves to serious health risks.

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“The recent discovery and closure of 724 illegal drug premises in Kwara State by inspectors of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria from Abuja is a source of serious concern to the Kwara State Government and all stakeholders in the health sector.”

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“While the enforcement exercise is commendable, the sheer number of illegal premises uncovered is alarming and unacceptable,” he said.

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According to him, many of the illegal outlets are operated by individuals without the requisite pharmaceutical training and professional oversight required for the safe handling and dispensing of medicines.

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“Such operators do not possess adequate knowledge of drug storage requirements, medication counselling, dosage management, adverse drug reactions, or drug interactions. The result can be treatment failure, medication errors, antimicrobial resistance, avoidable complications, and even loss of life,” Malik stated.

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He added that the true impact of the illegal drug trade on public health might never be fully known, noting that numerous cases of prolonged illnesses, treatment failures and medication-related complications could have originated from medicines obtained through unregulated channels without being traced to their sources.

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Malik said the findings of the PCN inspectors should serve as a wake-up call for stakeholders, particularly the Kwara State Pharmaceutical Inspectors Committee, urging the body to strengthen its surveillance and enforcement strategies.

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“The staggering figure of 724 illegal premises suggests that existing surveillance and enforcement mechanisms require strengthening. The Kwara State Pharmaceutical Inspectors Committee should redirect its energy toward developing more robust and proactive strategies aimed at identifying and eliminating illegal drug outlets before they become entrenched in our communities,” he said.

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The executive secretary also recommended that the committee leverage the Community Health Committees established by the Hospitals Management Board in 46 communities across the state to improve grassroots monitoring and reporting of illegal drug outlets.

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“These committees have already demonstrated their effectiveness in supporting the monitoring and supervision of state-owned health facilities, particularly in rural and underserved communities.”

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“Their grassroots presence and close relationship with community members position them to serve as valuable partners in identifying and reporting illegal drug premises and unauthorised medicine vendors,” he added.

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Malik further said the committees could support public enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of patronising illegal drug outlets and encourage residents to obtain medicines from licensed providers.

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“The goal must be unequivocal: when PCN inspectors from Abuja return for future enforcement exercises, they should find a significantly reduced number of illegal drug premises in Kwara State.”

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“Such an outcome would demonstrate that lessons have been learned, corrective actions have been implemented, and public health protection remains a top priority,” he said.

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He stressed that protecting the public from unsafe medicines remained a collective responsibility, adding that the discovery of 724 illegal drug premises should serve as a catalyst for stronger regulatory vigilance, enhanced enforcement and sustained efforts to build a safer and professionally regulated pharmaceutical sector in the state.

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