Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo has urged the federal government to tighten security against counterfeit drugs entering Nigeria. Following NAFDAC’s raid at Onitsha’s drug market, Soludo emphasized the need for stricter enforcement and announced plans to establish a Coordinated Wholesale Drug Centre to tackle the crisis.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has called on the federal government to strengthen its efforts in preventing counterfeit drugs from entering the country. His appeal follows the recent discovery of banned and fake medications hidden in plumbing material shops at the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
During a visit to the Ọgbọ Ọgwụ market, Soludo acknowledged the importance of federal regulatory agencies in maintaining drug quality standards. He expressed concern over how these globally banned drugs, reportedly manufactured in India, bypass security at ports and enter local markets. The governor stressed the need for stricter enforcement to halt their distribution.
Soludo also addressed the closure of nearby markets affected by the crackdown, confirming that regulators found alarming quantities of counterfeit drugs in various shops. He urged authorities to focus on the supply chain, ensuring that fake drugs do not make their way into Nigeria.
To curb the menace, the Anambra government is developing a Coordinated Wholesale Drug Centre in Oba, Idemili South LGA. The initiative aims to create a safer and more controlled pharmaceutical market environment. Meanwhile, Soludo assured traders that efforts are underway to expedite the search for illicit drugs so that the affected markets can reopen.
