Your How to Register a Pharmacy in Nigeria

Ever wondered how to register a pharmacy in Nigeria? The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), empowered by the PCN (Establishment) Act 2022, is the sole body authorized to register and regulate pharmaceutical premises in Nigeria.

PCN regulates all aspects of pharmacy education, training, and practice, including Pharmacy Technicians and Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors (PPMVs). Compliance with their stringent regulations is not optional; it is the absolute prerequisite for operation.

This article breaks down the mandatory requirements to register a Pharmacy in Nigeria, with special focus on premises in Lagos, categorized into four essential pillars: Location, Personnel, Documentation, and Final Readiness.

I. The Premises: Location and Structural Requirements

The first thing to think about to be able to register a pharmacy in Nigeria is the location and structural requirements. PCN compliance starts long before construction or renovation begins. Your proposed location must pass a mandatory Location Approval Inspection to ensure it meets public safety and proximity standards.

1. Siting (Location) Rules

The PCN strictly regulates the proximity of pharmaceutical premises to prevent clustering and ensure equitable access. It is a rate-limiting step to register a pharmacy in Nigeria.

• Distance Rule: The proposed pharmacy must be sited not less than 200 meters from any other registered pharmaceutical premises (Retail or Wholesale).
• PPMV Distance: It must be not less than 400 meters from any registered Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor’s (PPMV) shop.
• Forbidden Zones: Premises shall NOT be located in or around the following areas:
  • Motor parks or petrol stations.
  • Open marketplaces or highly clustered commercial centres.
  • Kiosks, containers, or temporary stalls (structures must be permanent).

2. Physical Structure and Size

The building must be a permanent structure designed specifically for pharmaceutical activities, ensuring product integrity and delivering professional services.

Requirement	Retail Pharmacy Standard	Details
Minimum Floor Area	30 square meters	This is the minimum required size for the operational space (dispensing, consultation, and storage).
Construction	Concrete Walls	The premises must be made of concrete walls and must not be a kiosk or container.
Ceiling Height	Minimum 3.05 meters	Adequate height is required for proper ventilation and temperature control.
Flooring	Concrete, Tiles, or Terrazzo	The floor must be durable, smooth, and easily cleanable.
Environment Control	Adequate Lighting, Ventilation, and a Functional Air Conditioning (AC) system.	Pharmacies must maintain a suitable temperature to preserve drug efficacy.
Security	Strong grilled windows and provision of double doors (grilled outer, glass inner).	Required, especially for the secure handling of controlled substances.

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II. The Superintendent Pharmacist: A Critical Resource to Register a Pharmacy in Nigeria

To register a pharmacy in Nigeria, a Superintendent Pharmacist is needed. The Superintendent Pharmacist is the legal cornerstone of the retail pharmacy and holds direct responsibility for all pharmaceutical operations.

Mandatory Superintendent Requirements:

1. Status: Must be a fully registered Pharmacist with a current Annual License to Practice issued by the PCN.
2. Exclusivity: The SP must provide a Letter of Undertaking stating that they have only one full-time pharmaceutical job. This commitment ensures their undivided attention to the premises.
3. Professional Control: The Managing Director/Proprietor (if not the SP) must provide a Letter of Undertaking affirming that all pharmaceutical business will be under the direct, personal control and management of the Superintendent Pharmacist.
4. Legal Agreement: A formal Legal Agreement between the Superintendent Pharmacist and the owner/company is mandatory before the premises permit is issued.
5. Visibility: The name and current annual license of the Superintendent Pharmacist must be conspicuously and professionally displayed within the premises.

III. Required Documentation Checklist to Register a Pharmacy in Nigeria

Before the PCN inspector visits for the final Premises Inspection, you must submit a comprehensive application file, typically through the PCN State/Zonal Office.

Corporate and Statutory Documents (CAC Registration)

For a retail pharmacy, registration as a Business Name or a Company through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is acceptable. The business is required to either be fully-owned by a registered pharmacist or he/she having the majority share in the company. This is a critical point to note if you want to register a pharmacy in Nigeria.

1. Application Letter to the Registrar, PCN (via the State Officer).
2. Duly Completed PCN Application Form (Form B).
3. CAC Certificate of Incorporation (or evidence of Business Name registration).
4. Certified True Copies (CTC) of the Company’s Articles and Memorandum of Association (where applicable).
5. CTC of Particulars of Directors (Form C07/CAC documents).

Pharmacist and Personnel Documents

1. Photocopy of the Superintendent Pharmacist’s Current Annual License to Practice.
2. NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate (where applicable).
3. Letter of Resignation from previous employment and Letter of Acceptance of Resignation (if applicable).
4. Letter of Appointment as Superintendent Pharmacist.
5. Legal Agreement between the SP and the employer/owner.
6. Letter of Undertaking by the SP (One full-time job commitment).
7. Letter of Undertaking by the Managing Director (Commitment to SP’s professional control).

Fees (Subject to Review)

While fees are revised regularly, a new retail pharmacy must budget for these primary payments, typically paid via Remita to the PCN:

Fee Component	Estimated Cost (₦)	Description
Location Approval Inspection	₦15,000	Paid upon initial application to check siting rules.
Premises Registration Fee (New)	₦15,000	Paid upon successful final inspection and before certificate issuance.
SP Annual License Renewal	Varies	Fees are based on years of post-registration experience.

Note: These fees are based on recent PCN guidelines and are subject to change. Always confirm the exact payable fees with the PCN State Office before making payments.

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IV. Final Inspection Checklist: What to Expect

The final inspection happens after location approval and full renovation. Inspectors will assess your operational readiness, focusing on systems, security, and equipment.

Category	Item Required	PCN Purpose
Security & Safety	Strong grill barriers, functional fire extinguishers, sand bucket.	To protect assets and ensure the safety of staff and customers.
Superintendent’s Office	Adequately furnished office for the SP.	Essential for patient counselling and administrative duties.
Equipment	Dispensing measures (beakers, cylinders), weigh balance, mortar and pestle, spatula, dispensing tray, refrigerator (for cold chain products).	To ensure drugs can be accurately compounded and dispensed.
Record Books	Mandatory: Poisons/Controlled Drugs Disposal Book, Prescription Only Medicines (POM) Book, Ledger/Inventory Control System, Expired Drugs Book.	To maintain an auditable trail for all scheduled and dispensed medicines.
Professional Standards	SP and staff in white overalls with proper name tags. Current PCN Registration Certificate prominently displayed.	To ensure a high level of professionalism and easy identification of personnel.

By meticulously following these four pillars of compliance, you significantly streamline the PCN registration process, moving closer to the successful launch of your retail pharmacy in Lagos.