How To Set Up A Patent Medicine (Chemist) Store In Nigeria

Patent Medicine Store

A patent medicine store popularly known as a chemist is a store that stock and sell some over the counter (O.T.C) drugs. However, patent medicine stores are not supposed to be called chemist.

Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (P.C.N) at such capacity approves them to operate within the shores of the country.
Patent stores are managed, not by the pharmacist but by individuals who feel the need to serve the nation in such capacity. They are found in major villages where pharmacist stores are scarce. They also serve to augment the services of the pharmacist in towns and cities.
This business is very lucrative and so the requirements are a little bit strict. The requirements to own one is similar within the country. However, the ability to keep up in the business may require a little knowledge on the drugs.

Registration Of Patent Medicine Store

The first step is to register with the National Association of Proprietary and Patent Medicine Dealers (N.A.P.P.M.D). There is a memorandum of understanding between PCN and NAPPMED.

Registration With NAPPMED

The registration requires a one-time payment that varies from location to location. The payment can be between the sum of ₦150000 to ₦200,000 with foods and drinks presented to the organisation. The foods and drinks are a welcome address and an introduction to get to know other patent vendors within that locality.
A yearly fee is collected. Most places within Delta charges ₦30,000 to ₦50,000 for that.
The money paid is used for several things like paying for vigilante dues. In addition, money realised at the end of the month is spent on members like buying the end of year food that is distributed among members.
Most people tend to omit registration with the organisation once they secure their certificate from PCN. This I consider a wrong move since the organisation have shown over time to be able to frustrate those who failed to comply.
Next is to register the business name with Cooperate Affairs Commission (C.A.C). This is done by paying a visit to any of their state branch.
To do this, pick two business names you like which have not been used. Submit it to CAC. Wait for approval and if not approved, change the name. It happens most time when the name is taken or closely related to another. Finally, take the approved name to CAC. They will demand a copy of the certificate from PCN to incorporate a patent store named company. CAC will require bits of information including proof of payments of their charges.

Registration With PCN

Eligibility

An applicant for the Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendor’s License  (PPMVL) shall produce evidence to the satisfaction of the licensing authority. 

(a) That the applicant has attained the age of twenty-one (21) years. 

(b) That the applicant is of good character and certified as such  by two satisfactory referees, and 

(c) The applicant is able to read and write in the English Language. 

(d) Possession of a Pharmacy Technician’s certificate from a PCN accredited School will be an added advantage. 

Requirements for an Application

(i) An application shall be made in the applicant’s own handwriting, indicating the exact location and address  where the intended business is to be undertaken. A Post Office Box (P. O. Box) or a Private Mail Bag (P.M.B) shall not  be accepted as a valid address. 

(ii) The application shall be addressed to the Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and submitted at the PCN State Office where the applicant intends to operate  

the business.

(iii) The applicant shall attach copies of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate obtained from a PCN Accredited Institution and  

current Annual Permit.

(iv) Letters of recommendations from two (2) reputable referees; one of whom shall be a registered and currently  licensed Pharmacist. 

(v) Three passport photographs, all of which shall be endorsed by one of the applicant’s referee, shall be attached to the application. 

(vi) The applicant shall produce a current income tax clearance certificate. 

(vii) Each application shall be accompanied with a non- refundable application fee as specified by the PCN.

Procedure for the Issuance of the License

The following procedure shall be adopted for the issuance of the Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendor’s License (PPMVL): 

(a) Submission of a duly completed application form;

(b) Interview of the applicant by the State PPMVL Committee;

(c) Payment of the prescribed inspection fee;

(d) Inspection of proposed shop by the State PPMVL Committee; 

(e) A satisfactory report to the PCN by the State PPMVL Committee;

(f) Issuance of the license by the PCN on payment of prescribed registration fee; 

(g) The applicants shall be issued a booklet containing the list of medicines approved for sale by the licensing authority  (PCN), and; 

(h) The applicant’s mandatory attendance of a Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors’ (PPMV) orientation course. 

Note

(a) The PCN reviews the application and inspection report forwarded by the state PPMVL committee in respect of every  

applicant to ensure that it’s content is consistent with laid down rules before approval of the applicant and issuance of license. 

(b) A PPMVL holder shall conspicuously display the license in their shop, as well as their business name on a signpost in front of  their premises. The business name shall also carry the wordings: “Patent Medicines Shop”. The use of such names as “Drug Stores” or “Medicine Stores”, etc., is prohibited. 

Licensing Fee

The license fee shall be as specified by the PCN and the Council reserves the right to review the fees from time to time.

Conditions for the Renewal of License

The following conditions shall guide the renewal of the PPMV license: 

(a) All applications for the renewal of the license must be submitted on or before the 31st of January of the year;

(b) The license must be renewed annually, subject to a satisfactory inspection report; 

(c) All licensed shops for the sale of patent and proprietary medicines shall be subject to the periodic inspection by pharmaceutical inspectors appointed by the Pharmacists  

Council of Nigeria.

(d) Evidence of attendance at a Continuing Education Programme (CEP), at least once in every two years; 

(e) Payment of the prescribed fees, and;

(f) Satisfactory performance by the licensee.

Validity of the License

The license shall expire on the 31st of December of the year of issuance. However, the licensing authority reserves the right to  

revoke a license during its validity period if there is any breach of the conditions for granting it or proof of false declaration or  

documentation.

Guidelines

After the registration process, the laws that may have been told even before registration entails:

1. Getting a store that is hygienic in nature. That means the store should not be closed to where dirt is deposited or an abattoir or other unhygienic locations.

2. The environmental condition must be conducive for both the buyer and seller.

3. A condition is very crucial for your location to be approved. According to my guide, a patent store must not be sited close to another. There is a minimum distance allowed. It must be at least a pole apart (200 meters) in busy areas and or two poles (400 meters) for less busy areas.

Starting The Patent Medicine Store

After meeting the registration requirement, the next step is to evaluate how to start. What I mean is the amount you intend to invest. The bulk of the money is usually on the registration and renting of a suitable store. The cost of getting the drugs is not that much. Consider if a helping hand like a pharmacy technician will be needed to assist in the store and how much to pay such ones.
The credible supplier is necessary pre-requisite that should not be kicked aside. Because of the prevalence of fake and sub-standard drugs, it is very good to get in touch with a credible supplier, which could be from a referral. This should not be difficult if you have registered with NAPPMD since most members will be willing to link new members to their associates.

Read Also: Tips On Starting Off A Community Pharmacy Shop In Nigeria

Tips To Succeed As A Patent Medicine Vendor

To be successful, a good market survey is needed. These include:

1. Location: A good location will put into account the places that lack access to primary health care (P.H.C). This will increase the patronage by a factor of four. This also reduces competition.
2. Experience: I see no reason why a carpenter of someone with no idea will just jump into drug market. Even though such drugs do not require a prescription, basic knowledge is needed. This is because some patients ask for directions how to take drugs and should be directed accordingly. Failure to do this will make the patient feel the seller is incompetent and have some reservations. Either they may not come back or switch customers.
3. Adequate Advert: There are laws guiding patent store adverts. Learn them and use it to your advantage. One very cheap and easy way to advertise is to open a website telling people about your work.
4. Attend Orientation: PCN organises orientation for patients medicines dealers every two years. These should be attended as it enlightened attendants on new innovative ways and products of treating modern diseases.

Read Also: The Process Of Obtaining Treatment In A Nigerian Government Hospital

Push by some groups of pharmacy to abolish the law that accepts patent medicine store have been on. This has been pushed aside because they are of great help today. The reason is that most pharmacists do not like going to villages to sell. Such villages should not be left to suffer when patent stores can reduce hospital visitations.
Presently, my village does not have one single pharmacist. If those patent stores were not there, how would they get drugs to buy?
Though some pharmacist are now saying patents should only be restricted to the villages because they are making them poor, I still see no reasons for that. The pharmacist that knows what they are doing cannot be intimidated with a mere patent store. The services they render should surpass that of the patent store and speaks for itself.
Note: In case you have a suggestion or comment as per this topic, please feel free to say it.