This was said by Dr. Kayode Oladehinde, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, at the 8th Mandatory Orientation Program for Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors in the State, which was sponsored by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Oladehinde voiced alarm about the expansion of illegal pharmacy activities and retail pharmacies, particularly in border towns.

He stated that anybody involved in the illegal sale of prescription pharmaceuticals would be dealt with by the state’s pharmaceutical inspectors.

The Permanent Secretary, represented by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, and the Chairman, Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor License Committee, Ogun State, Kayode Shotunde, said the ministry had noticed illegal pharmaceutical operations across the state, adding that anyone found culpable would be dealt with.

Oladehinde said, “We will impose strict sanctions which include; sealing of the premises, imposition of fines, and litigation in court on operators that do not have a license or engage in practices that contravene the rules and regulations of the PCN.”

He added that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration would continue to create an enabling environment for relevant stakeholders in the area of distribution of safe drugs to the people of the state.

In his address, the Registrar, PCN, Ibrahim Ahmed, represented by the Zonal Director, Dr. Yejide Oseni, said the council had set machinery in motion to ensure that the provisions of its guidelines were enforced.

Oseni said it would ensure that only licensed shops would be allowed to sell simple household medicines across the country.

One of the participants, Titilayo Adegbenro, appreciated the organisers of the workshop for providing an opportunity for patent medicine store owners to learn more about the drug distribution industry.