The Oyo chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in conjunction with the State House Committee on Health and the Ministry of Health, on Monday, closed down a pharmacy (Obeki Pharmacy) in the Monatan area of Ibadan.

The Oyo State NMA chairman, Happy Adedapo, told journalists that the pharmacy was known for quackery and illegal medical activities.

Mr Adedapo said the pharmacy, belonging to one Paulson Obeki, would remain sealed until further notice.

According to him, the pharmacy acts beyond its mandate by carrying out surgical procedures, admitting patients and performing other roles of a full-fledged hospital without registering as such.

“The owner will be prosecuted and fined, and a promise of not to indulge in medical practices going forward will be extracted from him,” he said.

Mr Adedapo advised others who engaged in such acts to desist, as the arms of the law would soon touch them. He emphasised that “there shall be no sacred cow.”

The Oyo NMA chairman said the general public was at risk, as they would have been drained of their hard-earned money while their cases would have been complicated before getting to real hospitals.

“Quackery is a crying evil that blows no one any good, and all hands must be on deck to stamp it out in Oyo state.

“This is to guard against its ruinous consequences,” Mr Adedapo stressed.

(NAN)