PCN can regulate sales, dispensing of veterinary drugs – Registrar

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) says it can regulate the sale and dispensing of veterinary drugs, vaccines and animal life (biological) as part of its statutory mandate.

The Council’s Registrar, Mr Elijah Mohammed, made this known in a statement made available to our reporter on Monday in Abuja.

Mohammed said that ensuring sanity and standard was part of its mandate to regulate the practice of pharmacy in all ramifications in the country.

Recall that the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 24 gave a judgment that the provisions of the Animal Diseases (Control) Act did not impinge on the PCN’s powers in respect to registration of premises where animal drugs are kept.

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) had sued the council, challenging its powers to regulate and control pharmacy education, training and practice in all aspects.

The association had also argued that the mandate of the PCN should be restricted to manufacturing, distribution, sale and dispensing of human drugs.

NVMA further maintained that the veterinary surgeons should have the authority and rights to handle, sell and dispense veterinary drugs, vaccines and animal biologicals.