A clinical pharmacist and Fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, Dr Sunday Olatunde, has warned that locating pharmacies inside filling stations poses serious risks to the quality of medicines and public health.
Olatunde raised the concern following allegations that H-medix Pharmacy is operating within a station owned by NNPC Limited in the Life Camp area of Abuja.
Citing regulations issued by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, the pharmacist said pharmacies are not permitted to be sited in filling stations, motor parks or markets because of the potential dangers to patients and health workers.
He explained that exposure to fuel vapours and emissions such as benzene could compromise the stability and effectiveness of medicines, which may lead to treatment failure and other health complications.
He also warned that the presence of flammable products in filling stations increases the risk of fire outbreaks, while constant exposure to fumes could worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma among pharmacy staff and customers.
Olatunde therefore advised members of the public to avoid patronising pharmacies located inside filling stations and urged regulatory authorities to strictly enforce existing rules.
He added that the council should take action against any pharmacy found to be operating in violation of the regulations, noting that affected individuals could also seek legal redress where necessary.
The pharmacist stressed that enforcing the rules and maintaining professional integrity are essential to protecting public health and ensuring that medicines dispensed to patients remain safe and effective.