The task force on counterfeit, fake drugs, and unwholesome processed foods of the Lagos State Government has closed 19 pharmacies in and around Igando-Ikotun in the Alimosho Local Government Area for breaking regulations.
Professor Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health, explained that the affected premises were sealed for a number of offences, including the display of drugs for sale in unregistered and unlicensed shops, improper drug storage, handling and dispensing of drugs by unskilled people, and sales of drugs outside the permitted scope.
Abayomi noted that monitoring and enforcement activities have been adjusted to ensure that the legal requirements governing the operation of pharmacies and prescription medicine stores are followed in order to protect the public’s health. She also noted that the task force is promoting the fight against fake drugs and illegal sales outlets.
The State Government would not give up on efforts to stop the inherent risks associated with the activities of unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets and medicine stores, according to the Director of Pharmaceutical Services in the Ministry, Pharmacist Oyebisi Omolambe.
Omolambe said, “This closure is thus part of the Government’s renewed efforts to sanitise the drug distribution system and curb proliferation of fake drugs in the State”.
The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Legal Unit of the Ministry of Health, and the Police Officers from Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) of Lagos Police Command collaborated on the enforcement and compliance raid by the State Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs, and Unwholesome Processed Foods.