PSN Raises Alarm Over Illegal Drug Shops, Blames Some State Officials
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has sounded a fresh warning over what it describes as the growing abuse of Nigeria's drug regulatory laws, alleging that some government officials are enabling illegal pharmaceutical operations across the country.
Speaking on the issue, PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, accused certain state officials of allowing unauthorized individuals to register and operate pharmaceutical facilities in violation of existing laws, particularly the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022 and the Fake Drug Act.
According to Tanko, the situation is especially concerning in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, where he alleged that individuals without legal authority have assumed regulatory functions that belong exclusively to the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
The PSN maintained that Section 2.2 of the Fake Drug Act clearly identifies the PCN as the statutory authority responsible for licensing pharmaceutical premises and regulating pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
The society also welcomed recent Federal High Court judgments in Ibadan and Calabar against illegal pharmaceutical operators, describing the rulings as significant victories in the fight against fake drugs, quackery, and unsafe medicine distribution.
Beyond illegal licensing, the pharmacists' body expressed concern over the growing trend of individuals claiming healthcare expertise through informal and unlawful training routes, including apprenticeships in private pharmacies and healthcare facilities without recognized professional accreditation.
According to the PSN, such practices not only violate pharmaceutical laws but also pose serious risks to public health by encouraging the circulation of medicines through unregulated channels.
Tanko further revealed that Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector faces a massive regulatory challenge, claiming that while the country may have more than three million pharmaceutical outlets, fewer than 50,000 are formally registered across manufacturing, importation, distribution, and retail operations.
The PSN also reminded healthcare institutions that every pharmaceutical facility, including hospital pharmacies, must be supervised by a qualified superintendent pharmacist as required by law.
Calling for stronger enforcement measures, the society urged the National Assembly to amend existing drug laws and introduce tougher penalties for offenders involved in illegal drug distribution and unauthorized pharmaceutical practice.
The latest warning comes at a time when Nigeria continues to battle the menace of fake, substandard, and improperly regulated medicines, a challenge experts say remains one of the biggest threats to patient safety and healthcare delivery in the country.
https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/06/13/pharmacists-accuse-govt-officials-of-aiding-abuse-of-drug-regulatory-laws/ Cc nlfpmod seun Dominique Do you think Nigeria needs tougher penalties and stricter enforcement to tackle fake drugs and illegal pharmaceutical practices? 
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