Woman gets 8 years imprisonment for operating illegal pharmacies in Calabar

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By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

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The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has sentenced a businesswoman, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, to eight years in prison for operating illegal pharmacies in Calabar and impersonating a registered pharmacist, offences that promote quackery in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Kamchukwube, a member of the National Association of Pharmaceutical Technologists and Pharmacy Technicians of Nigeria (NAPTTON), resident of Etagbor Street, Calabar, was convicted on five of eight counts bordering on operating unregistered pharmaceutical premises and practicing in the capacity of a registered pharmacist without qualification.

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The court, presided over by Hon. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, found her guilty following a Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) enforcement exercise in Calabar in August 2024, which uncovered her illegal operations at two locations.

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The charges stated that she practiced as a registered pharmacist, vendor, and pharmaceutical representative without being registered, contrary to Section 52(2) of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2022.

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She was specifically found to have overseen “24 Hours Pharmaceuticals” along Marian Road, Calabar, and another pharmacy located opposite Kokoz Cosmetics Shop on Abang Asang Street, Etta Agbor Road, Calabar, without registration under the Act.

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Further counts accused her of allowing unqualified persons to dispense drugs and knowingly dispensing medicines without valid licenses, contrary to relevant sections of the Act. She was also found guilty of tampering with and breaking a regulatory seal placed on one of her illegal outlets by PCN.

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Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, Alilu Kayode Esq., who prosecuted the case, said:

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“it’s a case of an individual operating pharmaceutical premises without registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria as required by law.

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“And also working as a qualified pharmacist when she’s not qualified.” He added that “the court, of course, found her guilty on five counts that has to do with that non-registration.

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“Because we were able to establish before the court that she was indeed unregistered” He maintained.

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Kayode stated that the punishment ranges from two years imprisonment to options of fine.

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“There’s a directive for us to look for her anywhere she is and hand her over to the correctional center to serve her sentences.” He added.

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Counsel to the defendant, Ekpe Esor Esq., declined comments after the judgment.

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