The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has officially commenced the construction of a Research and Drug Quality Assurance Centre in Anambra State, a strategic initiative aimed at combating counterfeit drugs and enhancing pharmaceutical safety nationwide.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday at the Coordinated Wholesale Pharmaceutical Market in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area. The event was led by the NAIP National Chairman, Pharm. Bankole Ezebuilo.
Speaking at the event, Ezebuilo explained that NAIP comprises Nigerian drug manufacturers, importers, and foreign pharmaceutical firms that supply medicines to hospitals and pharmacies nationwide. He described the project as a major step toward sanitizing the wholesale drug market in Anambra and beyond.
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“Drugs should enter and exit the market as authentic and effective products,” he said. “Unfortunately, some individuals exploit the system by adulterating these medicines, resulting in a dangerous mix of genuine and fake drugs in circulation.”
To address the challenge, Ezebuilo announced that the new Centre will include a dedicated analytical laboratory for testing drug quality, ensuring that only safe and authentic medicines reach consumers.
He also revealed that NAIP has signed a partnership with the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA), which will supply laboratory equipment and offer training for Nigerian pharmacists.
Highlighting the Centre’s national significance, Ezebuilo noted that approximately 70% of medicines distributed across Nigeria originate from wholesale drug markets. “If we can curb adulteration at this level, we can dramatically improve the safety and effectiveness of medicines across the country,” he said.
The Centre will also include: A cold chain storage system for temperature-sensitive drugs, A pharmaceutical marketing data hub, and Conference and training facilities for medical sales representatives across the South-East and South-South regions.
Ezebuilo commended Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for donating land for the project and supporting NAIP’s vision to enhance drug safety and healthcare delivery.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Harrison Abone, Special Adviser to the Governor on Medical and Pharmaceutical Matters, confirmed that the Coordinated Wholesale Pharmaceutical Market is set to commence full operations by November.
“As a government and as pharmacists, we recognise the critical need for access to genuine medications, especially in this region,” Dr. Abone said. “With regulatory agencies like NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) stationed within the market, all pharmaceutical activities will be strictly monitored and regulated.”
Dignitaries at the groundbreaking included:Igwe Alexander Onyido of Ogidi Kingdom, Pharm. Gloria Chinwuko, NAIP Chairman, Delta State, Pharm. Chinedu Obi, NAIP Chairman, Anambra.