The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Edo State chapters, have condemned alleged unlawful raids, arbitrary arrests and sealing of pharmacy premises by the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee (CPC).
The professional bodies described the operations as regulatory overreach and a violation of the rule of law, insisting that enforcement actions involving pharmaceutical facilities must be backed by statutory authority.
The Chairman of PSN in Edo State, Dr Chris Oisakede, alongside his ACPN counterpart, Dr Nwachukwu Idemili, stated this while addressing journalists in Benin City on Thursday.
Oisakede said pharmacists supported efforts to eliminate fake, counterfeit, adulterated, substandard and expired medicines but would resist what he described as unlawful interference in the profession.
He condemned alleged unauthorised entry into pharmacy premises, intimidation of practitioners, arbitrary seizure of pharmaceutical products, closure of facilities and imposition of fines by persons or organisations without clearly established legal powers.
The PSN chairman maintained that pharmacy practice was governed by a specialised statutory framework, noting that the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022, vested professional regulatory responsibilities in the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
He argued that a general consumer-protection mandate did not automatically empower the CPC to regulate pharmacy practice, inspect pharmaceutical premises or determine whether medicines met professional standards.
Oisakede consequently challenged the committee to make public its enabling law, terms of reference and specific legal provisions authorising the reported enforcement operations.
The pharmacists also questioned the alleged use of a NAFDAC-related mobile application to determine the authenticity of pharmaceutical products, warning that a failed scan or unrecognised product code was insufficient on its own to establish that a medicine was counterfeit.
“A mobile application may assist an investigation; it must not replace one. No pharmacy should be publicly branded as a seller of fake medicines solely on the basis of an unverified application result,” he said.
Oisakede called for the disclosure of the application and verification procedure being used, alongside written confirmation from NAFDAC on its suitability.
The professional bodies further alleged that some enforcement operations involved intimidation, monetary demands and impersonation of NAFDAC officials, calling for urgent investigations into the claims.
They demanded an immediate halt to unauthorised raids, inspections, seizures, closures and penalties against pharmacy premises, as well as the release of practitioners allegedly detained unlawfully and refunds of money collected without a valid legal basis.
The organisations also appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, to intervene and address their concerns.
They called for transparency regarding the committee’s legal powers and the reactivation of the Edo State Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods to strengthen collaboration among the PCN, NAFDAC, the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders.
However, the Chairman of the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee, Mr Osaro Culture Iyamu, rejected the pharmacists’ position, arguing that professional qualifications were not necessary to identify fake, expired and adulterated products.
“You don’t need any qualifications or professional qualifications to determine fake, expired and adulterated. All you need is requisite training and knowledge,” Iyamu said.
On the allegation that an outdated NAFDAC application was being used, the CPC chairman challenged the pharmacists to publish what they considered the authentic application.
He said the committee was using the NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS), which he described as the authentic NAFDAC tracking application available on the agency’s website.
Iyamu also rejected claims that the committee lacked jurisdiction to enter pharmaceutical premises, accusing those making the allegations of being ignorant of the law and aiding the circulation of fake and expired products.
The PSN and ACPN, however, maintained that consumer protection must be pursued within the confines of the law and through competent regulatory institutions.
They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the state’s public health agenda while opposing what they described as regulatory excesses.
