NAFDAC reopened the Onitsha market and seized 50 counterfeit and unqualified drugs.
Nigeria News Nalin The report said that the National Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) reopened the Onitsha drug market on March 6 after starting disinfection operations on February 10.
Dr. Martin Iluyomade, director of regional operations at Enugu Zone, announced the reopening at a stakeholder meeting on Thursday.
The conference included representatives from NAFDAC, Anambra State and Onitsha market leadership.
Other markets are affected
In addition to the drug market, other affected markets include pipelines, wood, scientific advancements and surgical markets.
Iluyomade clarified that reopening is not about punishing neighboring markets, which unfortunately has become a major warehouse for medical traders.
Iluyomade stressed that the action was based on extensive intelligence gathering and needed to be shut down to prevent confrontation with traders.
“The market discovery is shocking,” he said, revealing that a large number of narcotics that can destroy any country.
He added: “We found fake and fake drugs in more than 50 trailers, as well as banned drugs dating back to 2007.”
Conditions for reopening
Despite the reopening of the market, about 4,000 shop owners who were introduced and suspended must visit NAFDAC alone to clear themselves before resuming their business.
Iluyomade also highlights poor storage conditions within the market, which harms the quality of real drugs.
Government and traders react
He expressed his appreciation to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his support and commitment to establishing a standard drug market with appropriate storage facilities.
Mr. Ndubuisi Chukwulota, Chairman of Ogbo Ogwu Chamber of Commerce, thanked Nafdac for reopening the market and pledged traders to cooperate in eliminating counterfeit drugs.
Anambra Health Commissioner Dr. Afam Bobidike praised NAFDAC and Traders for their cooperation and ensure continued efforts to maintain the disinfection of the system.
More insights
The National Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) recently closed Onitsha’s ọGbọgwụ drug market as part of its ongoing national efforts to forge and fail drugs.
On February 10, NAFDAC began enforcement operations in three major drug distribution centers: the Open Drug Market in Lagos, the Ariaria Drug Market in ABA and the Bridge Market in Onitsha.
According to the agency, these markets account for more than 80% of Nigerian drug distribution. Law enforcement actions aim to eliminate forged and unregistered drugs from the cycle.
In Onitsha alone, NAFDAC confiscated no less than 30 trucks filled with confiscated drugs and closed more than 4,000 stores.
Earlier, Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo, also raised concerns about counterfeiting and banning drugs from infiltration into Nigerian markets, calling for stronger regulatory action at the federal level.
He expressed concern about how the drug entered the country, and he questioned the role of regulators on the Nigerian border.
He added: “How these drugs are still made in India, made through our various ports (ocean and air), and finding ways to enter our local drug market remains a question and only the authorities concerned can answer it.”
While supporting efforts to get rid of the counterfeit drug market, Sorudo called on the federal government to strengthen control over imported drugs.
While we must get rid of our counterfeit and counterfeit drugs, it is important for the federal government to strengthen the noose at the supply side of the value chain.
