Yobe APC Chairman Brokers Deal, Secures Extension for Embattled Patent Medicine Dealers

By Yusuf A Yusuf Damaturu 

Members of the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) in Yobe State have received a six-month extension to relocate their businesses, following a direct intervention by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

The reprieve halts the imminent closure of several medicine shops in Potiskum and Nguru Local Government Areas, which had been penalized for violating Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) regulations requiring a minimum distance of 200 meters from hospitals.

According to the Association’s Secretary, Dr. Safiyanu Ibrahim, affected members in Potiskum had already endured a six-week shutdown of their premises. Meanwhile, colleagues in Nguru had been served formal eviction notices with strict deadlines.

The breakthrough came after the Yobe State APC Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Gadaka, invited NAPPMED’s State Executive Council for a courtesy visit. 

With the approval and backing of Governor Buni, Gadaka engaged the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and the State Ministry of Health to broker a solution.

Following those consultations, all affected members have now been granted an additional six months to secure new, compliant locations for their businesses.

“We express our deep appreciation to Governor Mai Mala Buni for his swift intervention, and to the APC State Chairman and all stakeholders involved,"Dr. Ibrahim said in a telephone interview our correspondent 

He also appealed to the Governor for further consideration and possible support for the affected members during their relocation process.

Dr. Ibrahim called on all NAPPMED members to remain calm, abide by the law, and cooperate with authorities while maintaining professional standards of service to the public.