By Simeon OSAJIE
The Edo State chapters of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) have strongly condemned the unauthorized raids, arbitrary arrests, and sealing of pharmacy premises by the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee (CPC) led by Mr. Osaro Iyamu Culture.
In a joint press statement in Benin City, signed by Dr. Chris Oisakede and Dr. Nwachukwu Idemili, the groups denounced the intimidation of practitioners and unjustified closure of facilities by bodies lacking statutory authority, emphasizing that while they fully support the fight against counterfeit and adulterated medicines, all regulatory enforcement must strictly adhere to due process and the rule of law.
According to the group, “What we reject is the substitution of professional regulation with uncoordinated enforcement, technical conclusions without competent assessment, and the exercise of powers without a clear legal foundation.
“The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022, provides the statutory framework for regulating pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical business in Nigeria. Section 4 sets out the Council’s functions, including the regulation of standards of pharmacy practice and business. Sections 31 and 32 address the appointment and powers of Pharmaceutical Inspection Officers.
“The Act also contains provisions governing the licensing and supervision of pharmaceutical premises.
“NAFDAC has separate statutory responsibilities for the regulation of medicines and other regulated products, including product registration, quality and safety. The Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act also provides for the constitution and functions of State Task Forces. The respective mandates of the PCN, NAFDAC and a duly constituted State Task Force must be respected and exercised in accordance with their enabling laws,”
The group further demanded that CPC must immediately cease any pharmaceutical inspection, raid, harassment, seizure, sealing of premises or imposition of penalties for which it cannot demonstrate clear statutory authority noting that the Edo State CPC do not have the lawful powers to even enter any Pharmacy Premise on their own accord except when on a combined task force with the Pharmacy Council officials (PCN) and/or NAFDAC officials.
The group also demanded for immediately release of unlawfully detained practitioners and refund of unlawfully collected fines and also the immediate intervention by the Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole to urgently intervene and call the leadership of the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee to order.
In his response, the chairman of Edo State CPC, Osaro Iyamu Culture quoted the relevant sections of Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act that empower their operations.