₦airaland Forum

Illegal Pharmacy Owner Jailed 8 Years In Calabar After Defying Regulatory Authorities

A Federal High Court in Calabar has sentenced a woman, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, to eight years imprisonment for illegally operating pharmacies and allowing unqualified persons to dispense medicines in Cross River State.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu delivered the judgment on Monday after finding the defendant guilty of running pharmaceutical businesses without registration as required under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022.

According to court records, the convict operated "24 Hours Pharmaceuticals" on Marian Road and another pharmacy along Etta Agbor Road in Calabar without the necessary approval from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

The court also heard that officials of the PCN had earlier sealed the premises during an enforcement exercise. However, the defendant allegedly broke the seals and resumed operations despite regulatory directives.

Justice Ojukwu ruled that the actions violated multiple provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act, including practicing pharmacy without registration and operating pharmaceutical premises illegally.

Speaking after the judgment, Aliyu Okayode, Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, said the conviction sends a strong message to individuals operating pharmaceutical businesses outside the law.

He stated that the prosecution successfully proved before the court that the defendant was neither registered nor licensed to practice pharmacy.

The case highlights the ongoing crackdown by regulatory authorities on illegal drug outlets across Nigeria, amid growing concerns about fake medicines, drug abuse, and the activities of unqualified medicine vendors.

Many public health experts have repeatedly warned that medicines dispensed by unqualified persons can lead to treatment failure, drug resistance, severe adverse reactions, and even death.

Source: https://punchng.com/court-sentences-woman-to-8-years-over-illegal-pharmacy-in-calabar/

By defying authorities they mean he didn't settle. There are many illegal pharmacies all over the country that are allowed to operate because they pay their "dues" as required by the so called authorities.

Jail for eight is it not much. This is just minor offence

Serves him right, at least this will serve as warning to those operating pharmacies without necessary qualifications and authorisation then help to curb fake drug circulation.

thesicilian:
By defying authorities they mean he didn't settle. There are many illegal pharmacies all over the country that are allowed to operate because they pay their "dues" as required by the so called authorities.

That is why it is called the long arm of the law.

Not that she is dispensing fake drugs, they only jailed her for not registering with them. They care more about the money than the quality of the drugs. But the woman too goofed by breaking the seal after closing her shop.

Jail him 20 years and make him a scapegoat… una like to dey break law and yet una go still demand justice..

thesicilian:
By defying authorities they mean he didn't settle. There are many illegal pharmacies all over the country that are allowed to operate because they pay their "dues" as required by the so called authorities.

Everything na joke 4 una . Go open ur own and starts giving bribe to undefy authority.

ohosi4real:
Jail for eight is it not much. This is just minor offence

Putting people’s life at risk is a minor offense ?
Wow!!

SMT042:
Everything na joke 4 una . Go open ur own and starts giving bribe to undefy authority.

My youngest sister just opened has and she paid for registration and everything. They went to her space to inspect and check if she created the standard distance from her store to other pharmacy.

They have guidelines to follow but lovers of Nigeria and those who want Nigeria to be better, will always call the right things wrong because of hatred for the government or their association with the tribe involved.

All the make shift pharmacists in my neighborhood will see this as lol

Pharmacies need strict regulations.

Meanwhile.. where is that muric guy in all of these kidnapping and languish of a muslimmuslim ticket

thesicilian:
By defying authorities they mean he didn't settle. There are many illegal pharmacies all over the country that are allowed to operate because they pay their "dues" as required by the so called authorities.

Shame no dey catch Una?

See as you dey cry just because d government arrested and Igbo woman even though what she was doing was illegal

CrownedPhoenix:
Pharmacies need strict regulations.

Meanwhile.. where is that muric guy in all of these kidnapping and languish of a muslimmuslim ticket

There have been unlimited threads on kidnappings and you didn't write this there, why here?

Whats with trying to create distractions from matters being discussed on a particular thread?

ohosi4real:
Jail for eight is it not much. This is just minor offence

Na wa for Una

Killing people is a minor offence to you.

thesicilian:
By defying authorities they mean he didn't settle. There are many illegal pharmacies all over the country that are allowed to operate because they pay their "dues" as required by the so called authorities.

Oga, not PCN in Nigeria for now. They don't do settling o. My wife is a fully licensed community pharmacist. If you don't do the right thing even as a full member, you would be dealt with.

Imagine the effrontery.

This kind of boldness comes when you are used to doing shady stuff.

This happens when you have been operating or trained under a culture which accepts anything that brings money as a business, even if it’s fraudulent.

Crucify him crucify him!!!

erad:
There have been unlimited threads on kidnappings and you didn't write this there, why here?

Whats with trying to create distractions from matters being discussed on a particular thread?

No mind them. Tribalism has blocked their brains to reason...


He is only angry that his tribal sister has been jailed for committing a very serious crime.

He is more concerned about her tribe not minding that she has been killing people with her illegal pharmacy



Cc
CrownedPhoenix

Why wasn't she charged when they found the pharmacy was operating illegally and shut it down? Is this how they're tackling this problem?... sealing them... but no charges? What exactly is the message they're sending? ... when your business is sealed don't resume operations there? I guess this is the only illegal pharmacy.... the rest are all in compliance.

Hopefully.... before the end of this century... maintenance and enforcement will become part of our culture .

ohosi4real:
Jail for eight is it not much. This is just minor offence

no wonder some people are flooding the market with fake products and see no wrong in it🤕

thesicilian:
By defying authorities they mean he didn't settle. There are many illegal pharmacies all over the country that are allowed to operate because they pay their "dues" as required by the so called authorities.

You understand the English well jare...

But at times, people like that do settle but fall victim of settling the wrong parties. Or a new oga in town would decide to use one or two persons to let the bigger ogas see they're working hard.

No be this country wey I know? I've seen a DPO ordering his officers to go out and get 150k before he leaves l. When they couldn't, he opened the gates of the police station himself and whether it's okada or Keke, everyone was being redirected inside the police station.

I just dey look with eyes wide open like WTH....

Maybe she was part of the people that have been selling fake drugs

Please my advice to nigeria and nigerians
Please avoid hungry politicians
Please they can do do or die politics

thesicilian:
By defying authorities they mean he didn't settle. There are many illegal pharmacies all over the country that are allowed to operate because they pay their "dues" as required by the so called authorities.

Stop saying what you don't know! PCN does not accept "settlement" and allow anybody to brazenly practise outside the laws! Those illegal outlets you alluded to would definitely face the consequences of their unlawful activities the day PCN discovers them. You also have a duty to report such outlets whenever you see them.

Kudos the learned judge who delivered this judgement! At least this would send a message to all the unscrupulous individuals who are busy killing Nigerians with their illegal operations.

In order to put a stop to the activities of these illegal outlets, PCN should also ensure closure of all the open drug markets where these criminals go and purchase all kinds of drugs without regulations and restrictions. As long as open markets are allowed to operate and sell drugs indiscriminately just for profits without considering the dangers their activities pose to public health, we cannot win the war against fake drugs and illegal activities of these merchants of death.