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Posted on: Tue 05-08-2025
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has strongly refuted a viral claim allegedly made by Prof. Sadeeque Abba, suggesting that 95 out of every 100 chemists or pharmacies in Nigeria are selling hard drugs illegally.
The statement, reportedly made during the 2025 National Human Rights Lecture in Abuja, cited statistics from the Social Science Academy of Nigeria (SSAN). But when PCN reached out to SSAN, the Academy denied ever publishing such data.
“We contacted the Academy directly. They disowned the statistics,” PCN stated.
Despite multiple attempts, PCN was unable to reach Prof. Abba for clarification. In response, the Council issued a detailed press statement to debunk the claim and defend the integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical system.
PCN’s Defense: Facts Over Fiction
- Community Pharmacies are licensed and regulated under the PCN Act of 2022, operating under the supervision of qualified pharmacists.
- Patent Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), once loosely regulated, are now under tighter control thanks to new legislation.
- In 2025 alone, PCN sealed over 2,000 illegal premises across Nigeria, including operations in FCT, Rivers, Lagos, and more.
- Major legal victories include the conviction of Osinilu Dongo Tayo for illegal drug sales and the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging PCN’s enforcement powers.
Hard Drugs vs Controlled Medicines
PCN emphasized that pharmacies are not authorized to sell hard drugs, and controlled medicines are dispensed only with prescriptions and proper documentation. PPMVs are not allowed to stock or sell controlled medicines.
“Does Prof. Abba even know the difference between hard drugs and controlled medicines?” PCN asked pointedly.
Cleaning Up Nigeria’s Drug Markets
Efforts to relocate open drug markets to Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) are underway. The Sabon Gari Market in Kano was shut down in 2024, and similar actions are planned for Lagos, Anambra, Abia, and more.
The Council urges the public to disregard the false claims and calls on Prof. Abba to issue a retraction. It also encourages collaboration with government agencies to combat drug abuse and protect public health.
“This statement is not only false — it’s dangerous,” said Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, Registrar/CEO of PCN
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