PCN Seals 722 Medicine Outlets in Bauchi, Recovers Tramadol, Rohypnol and Codeine Syrups

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 722 pharmaceutical premises in Bauchi State after inspecting 950 facilities during a four-day regulatory enforcement exercise covering 14 local government areas in October 2026.

The exercise targeted unregistered premises, unauthorised medicine sales and other breaches of pharmaceutical regulations. According to figures disclosed by the council's Head of Enforcement, Suleiman S. Chiroma, the sealed premises comprised 52 pharmacies, 339 patent medicine shops and 331 illegal outlets.

The team also issued 24 compliance directives to operators.

The findings point to significant regulatory challenges across the medicine distribution system, particularly the operation of unregistered outlets and the sale of medicines outside the approved scope of practice for Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs).

Breakdown of the enforcement figures

The PCN reported that its enforcement team visited 950 premises, comprising 92 pharmacies, 527 patent medicine shops and 331 illegal outlets.

Of these, 722 were sealed.

Premises category Visited Sealed Pharmacies 92 52 Patent medicine shops 527 339 Illegal outlets 331 331 Total 950 722

All 331 identified illegal outlets were sealed during the exercise. The remaining closures involved 52 pharmacies and 339 patent medicine shops.

Chiroma also disclosed that only 43 per cent of the pharmacies inspected fully complied with regulatory standards, while 36 per cent of PPMV outlets met the required standards.

These figures indicate that compliance concerns extended beyond unregistered premises to facilities operating within the regulated pharmaceutical sector.

Controlled medicines recovered from unauthorised outlets

The enforcement team reportedly recovered several controlled medicines, including Tramadol Hydrochloride, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Diazepam (Valium) and codeine-containing cough syrups.

According to the PCN, some PPMV outlets were involved in the unauthorised sale of controlled medicines, particularly in the Bayan Gari area of Bauchi metropolis.

The council also reported that some patent medicine shops stocked prescription-only medicines, injectables and intravenous infusions outside the scope permitted under the Approved Patent Medicine List.

The findings raise concerns about access to medicines that require appropriate professional oversight and about the potential risks associated with unauthorised distribution.

However, the recovery of these products does not, by itself, establish that every product was falsified, substandard or involved in a documented case of harm. The regulatory concern reported by the PCN centred on unauthorised sales and breaches of the applicable rules.

Other violations identified

Beyond the sale of restricted medicines, the enforcement team identified several operational and premises-related violations.

These included:

• •Operating pharmaceutical premises without registration.

• •Poor record-keeping and improper signage.

• •Unhygienic premises.

• •Unrestricted access to poisons by unauthorised persons.

• •Stocking medicines outside the approved scope of PPMV practice.

• •Unauthorised training of apprentices.

Such breaches can undermine regulatory oversight, compromise appropriate medicine handling and make it more difficult to ensure that medicines are supplied through authorised channels.

The PCN said pharmaceutical premises involved in handling, storage and dispensing would remain subject to strict regulatory supervision, with sanctions for violations of applicable laws and regulations.

What the figures mean for pharmacy practice

The enforcement results highlight two related challenges: eliminating unregistered medicine outlets and improving compliance among licensed operators.

The closure of all 331 identified illegal outlets demonstrates the scale of action taken against premises operating outside the regulatory framework. Meanwhile, the reported compliance rates among inspected pharmacies and PPMV shops suggest that licensing alone does not guarantee adherence to professional and operational standards.

For pharmacists and other pharmaceutical stakeholders, the findings reinforce the importance of valid premises registration, appropriate medicine storage, accurate records and compliance with restrictions governing the sale and supply of medicines.

PPMVs also need to operate within their authorised scope and refer patients to appropriate healthcare professionals when their needs exceed the services they are permitted to provide.

Sustained monitoring, clear compliance requirements and appropriate enforcement will be important in translating the closures into lasting improvements in medicine distribution.

PCN calls for public vigilance

The council advised Nigerians to obtain medicines only from premises licensed by the PCN. It also reminded licensed operators to display valid, current licences as evidence of authorisation to operate.

The Bauchi exercise forms part of the council's broader enforcement programme aimed at strengthening pharmaceutical regulation and improving compliance with national drug distribution requirements.

The effectiveness of the operation will ultimately depend not only on the number of premises sealed but also on sustained monitoring, lawful reopening where applicable, continued compliance and the prevention of unauthorised outlets returning to operation.

For the public, checking that a medicine outlet is appropriately licensed remains an important step in obtaining medicines through authorised channels.