FinRel Pharmacy, a veterinary store, located at Asolo, in the Olorunsogo area of Ibadan, broke a seal-off order of the state government for operating in defiance of the law.
Officials of the state’s ministry of agriculture and rural development have called FinRel out after initially sealing the veterinary store on Monday.
The government had claimed that the pharmacy was treating dogs in a densely populated area with the potential for human beings to contract zoonotic diseases.
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“The Oyo State Government has condemned the action of the owner of FinRel Pharmacy who broke the seal on his business premises after he was found guilty of violating the veterinary premises law,” the statement, signed jointly signed by Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, and Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Commissioner for Agriculture, read in part.
Sealed gate. Source: Oyo State Government.
The statement further mentioned that Ayorinde Benjamin, a vet doctor at the pharmacy, was responsible for animal treatment at the risk of public health safety and in violation of recognised veterinary practices in the state.
The two commissioners noted that the government was not particularly interested in who sold human and veterinary medicines in the state; it would crackdown on any premises jeopardising public safety.
“The present government in the state would not allow any person or group of persons’ selfish interest and unprofessional acts put the health of the general public at risk,” the statement said.
Before sealing off the premises on August 29, government officials had visited the pharmacy in response to a public alert and its preliminary findings revealed that FinRel Pharmacy was not registered as a veterinary clinic.
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“The officers from the ministry were denied access to the FinRel Pharmacy vaccine storage,” the statement read.
“FinRel Pharmacy did not register as a veterinary pharmacy as captured by the Oyo State Veterinary Premises Law (2017) and has not equally registered as veterinary clinic as required by section 3 subsections 1 of the Private Veterinary Premises and Veterinary Establishment law of Oyo State, 2017.
“The FinRel Pharmacy Manager, named Pharmacist Rachel, confirmed that they sold, treated and administered vaccines on animals at the pharmacy.
“The officers were equally denied access to the pharmacy veterinary log book that is expected to contain all the veterinary activities of the pharmacy.
“Also, the same pharmacy, FinRel advertised free anti-rabies vaccine promo for dogs if goods bought were worth N10,000 between 1st and 30th August, 2023.
“Sequel to the above, FinRel Pharmacy Veterinary Doctor was invited for investigation by the Oyo State Committee on Regulations of Veterinary Premises and Veterinary Establishment on 16th of August, 2023, at the Office of Director, Veterinary Services of the Ministry.
“During the investigation, the FinRel Pharmacy Veterinary Doctor, Ayorinde Benjamin with VC RG No 10257 agreed that he was still in the employment of FinRel Pharmacy and that he was the same person in the said viral video treating Dog at FinRel barbecue spot, which is a public health risk to the people of the state.
“The said Dr. Ayorinde however, apologised for his unethical and unprofessional conduct saying it was at the directive of his employer.
“As part of the ongoing aggressive campaign and awareness by the state government to sensitise the general public, most especially the stakeholders in veterinary activities to prevent outbreak of Anthrax and other zoonotic diseases, the Oyo State Government on Monday 29th August, 2023, ordered the sealing of the said FinRel Pharmacy and Veterinary Store at Asolo, Olorunsogo area, Ibadan accompanied with men of the Nigerian Police from the Police Headquarters, Eleyele.
“The Oyo State Government therefore urged the general public and law abiding citizens to support efforts of the state government to protect lives and properties.”
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The pharmacy, through a man who identified as Jimi, declined to comment on this story. Instead, he directed this reporter to speak with the president of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Oyo State Chapter. The president had not returned our call at press time.
Earlier, ACPN had warned that its members “may resort to self-help to defend ourselves if the Veterinary Council, in whatever guise, comes close to any of our premises [without] waiting for the outcome of the court henceforth” if the ministry continued its operations.”
The pharmacists association claimed that the Veterinary Practising Premises Registration Regulation 2018 being enforced was an affront on a federal law on the control of drugs.
The post Despite Public Health Risks, FinRel Pharmacy Removes Oyo Gov’t Seal appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.
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