A significant stride in the fight against substandard and falsified (SF) medicines in Nigeria has been achieved with a court mandate ordering the relocation of open drug marketers to the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Kano.
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The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, announced this pivotal development, emphasizing its crucial role in streamlining the nation’s drug distribution system and safeguarding public health.
“The chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria has long been a vexing issue for regulatory agencies, particularly NAFDAC. This disorderly chain of movement of medicine from manufacturers to consumers has been identified as the primary cause of SF medicines in circulation, posing significant risks to the population’s health and wellbeing”. She said.
“To address this pressing issue, the Presidential Committee on Pharmaceutical Sector Reform (PCPSR) was established in 2003, tasked with developing strategies to sanitize the drug distribution system. Among its recommendations was the establishment of Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWC) to regulate drug distribution effectively”. She added.
Prof. Adeyeye said the court ruling, delivered by Justice Simon Amobeda of the Kano Federal High Court, ordered open drug marketers in Kano to relocate their stores to the Dangwauro Coordinated Wholesale Center (CWC) on Zaria Road, Kano.
“This decision followed years of resistance from medicine dealers in Kano, who had filed a lawsuit seeking to reject relocation to the CWC”. She said.
The NAFDAC boss said in response to the court’s directive, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), undertook an enforcement action on February 17th and 18th, 2024.
“A total of 1,370 wholesale medicine outlets and packing stores were sealed in Sabon Gari, Malam Kato, and Mai Karaimi open drug markets, signaling the commencement of the relocation process. Owners of the sealed outlets are now required to report to the offices of NAFDAC and PCN at the Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Dangwauro, Kano, to arrange for the relocation of their businesses. This move is expected to enhance the regulation of drug distribution and significantly reduce the prevalence of substandard medicines, thus promoting public health and safety”. She added.
Prof Adeyeye lauded the court ruling as a monumental victory in the fight against SF medicines, underscoring its importance in advancing the regulatory agenda of NAFDAC and PCN. She emphasized the significance of this relocation in achieving maturity level 4 of the WHO Global Benchmarking for regulatory agencies.
Moreover, Prof Adeyeye called on other stakeholders, including state governors and governments, to support the establishment of CWCs in other cities across Nigeria. She stressed the pivotal role of these centers in promoting healthier communities and bolstering the nation’s economy.
“The court’s decision sets a precedent for other cities grappling with similar challenges in drug distribution. It reflects the unwavering commitment of regulatory agencies to prioritize public health and ensure access to safe and effective medicines for all Nigerians. By eliminating substandard and falsified medicines from circulation, this initiative not only safeguards public health but also contributes to the nations overall prosperity and development”. She said.
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