Governor Soludo Unveils Plan to Establish Centralized Wholesale Drug Centre in Anambra to Combat Fake Medicines
In a bold and decisive move to address the growing concern over the prevalence of counterfeit drugs, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, recently unveiled plans to build a centralized wholesale drug centre in Oba, located in the Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA). This initiative, a significant part of his administration’s efforts to regulate the drug market and combat the infiltration of fake and counterfeit medicines, is expected to have a transformative impact on both the state and national healthcare sectors.
The Governor’s announcement comes amidst ongoing concerns about the activities in Onitsha’s Ọgbọ ogwu market, which is believed to be the largest open drug market in Africa. The new centre will provide a centralized location for the trade of legitimate pharmaceutical products, ensuring proper regulation and the standardization of drug distribution. Additionally, it will accommodate the relocation and formalization of the Ọgbọ ogwu market, which has long been a source of controversy due to its association with the sale of substandard, fake, and expired drugs.
Governor Soludo’s decision to establish a wholesale drug centre in Oba underscores his administration’s commitment to tackling the complex and persistent issue of counterfeit drugs, which have plagued Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector for years. The market in Onitsha, as one of the largest trading hubs in Africa, has attracted the attention of both local and international regulators due to its role in the distribution of unregulated and dangerous medicines.
In his statement, Soludo highlighted that the existing chaotic market environment in Onitsha has allowed counterfeit drugs to thrive, endangering public health. “As a government, we are already building a coordinated wholesale drug centre in Oba, Idemili South LGA, that will accommodate the new and standardized Ogbo ogwu market. This is our own contribution to ending the current chaotic market environment where fake and counterfeit drugs thrive,” Soludo said.
He further emphasized that the new centre would not only help regulate the pharmaceutical trade but also bolster Onitsha’s status as Africa’s premier trading hub. By relocating the market to a more organized and regulated space, the Governor aims to elevate the city’s profile while ensuring that only genuine, quality medicines are sold to consumers.
One of the key aspects of Governor Soludo’s plan involves the relocation and formalization of the Ọgbọ ogwu market, a sprawling open-air drug market in Onitsha that has earned notoriety for the sale of counterfeit drugs. As part of the new initiative, the market will be standardized to meet modern regulatory requirements, ensuring that only licensed and approved drugs are sold within its premises.
During a visit to the Ọgbọ ogwu market and the adjoining market in Onitsha, Soludo was confronted with firsthand evidence of the challenges faced in regulating the drug trade. Regulatory bodies had uncovered alarming findings in the nearby plumbing materials market, where banned drugs were being sold alongside legitimate products. This discovery led to the temporary shutdown of the market.
The Governor, who was visibly concerned about the implications of such illegal activities, swiftly directed an expedited investigation into the matter. In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Soludo said, “I visited the Ọgbọ ogwu and adjoining market today in Onitsha. As the biggest open drug market in Africa, it is not surprising that Federal Agencies and regulatory bodies would, from time to time, visit the market to enforce standards and check the sale of fake, counterfeit, and controlled drugs in the market.”
The discovery of counterfeit and banned drugs in shops located in the plumbing materials market was particularly shocking. “Right inside these shops were found cartons of counterfeit and controlled drugs, many of which had been banned globally. How these drugs, which have been banned globally and locally, are still being manufactured in India, pass through our various ports (sea and air), and find their way to our local drug markets remains a question only the relevant authorities can answer,” Soludo lamented.
In addition to his efforts at the state level, Governor Soludo has called on the Federal Government to tighten control over the pharmaceutical supply chain to prevent the influx of counterfeit and banned drugs into the country. The Governor pointed out that the entry of such drugs, especially those from foreign markets, through the nation’s various ports poses a significant challenge to the efforts of state and local regulators.
“While we must rid our country of fake and counterfeit drugs, it is important for the Federal Government to tighten up the noose on the supply end of the value chain,” Soludo stated. His call for greater federal oversight highlights the need for a more coordinated approach to addressing the drug trade in Nigeria, particularly in relation to imports from countries such as India, where many counterfeit medicines are manufactured.
Soludo’s visit to the market and his subsequent statements reflect a growing sense of urgency regarding the regulation of the pharmaceutical market. He has tasked both state and federal authorities with taking more decisive action to ensure that banned and counterfeit drugs are prevented from entering the Nigerian market.
Following the discovery of banned drugs in the plumbing materials market, Governor Soludo directed that an investigation be conducted and that the market be allowed to reopen in a timely manner. He instructed that the search for counterfeit drugs, which had already commenced a few days prior, be expedited so that traders at the plumbing materials market could resume their business activities. “I have directed that the search, which had commenced a few days ago, be expedited so that in less than 10 days from today, the traders at the Plumbing materials market can be allowed to reopen and commence their legitimate commercial activities,” he stated.
This swift and interventionist approach reflects Soludo’s commitment to restoring order and ensuring that businesses operating in the region comply with the highest standards. The reopening of the market will serve as a key milestone in the state’s efforts to formalize and regulate its local markets, thereby ensuring a safer environment for consumers and businesses alike.
The announcement of the centralized wholesale drug centre in Oba and the planned relocation of the Ọgbọ ogwu market is part of a larger effort to regulate and professionalize the pharmaceutical trade in Anambra State. The informal nature of many drug markets in Nigeria, particularly in places like Onitsha, has contributed to the proliferation of counterfeit drugs, which pose serious health risks to the public.
By standardizing the marketplace, Soludo’s administration aims to create a safer, more reliable environment for the distribution of pharmaceutical products. Counterfeit drugs, which often contain dangerous and substandard ingredients, can have disastrous effects on public health. The centralization and formalization of drug markets are key steps toward ensuring that Nigerians have access to safe and effective medications.
The establishment of the wholesale drug centre in Oba is expected to have a far-reaching impact on both the local economy and public health. The centre will provide a centralized location for drug wholesalers and retailers, ensuring better oversight and more stringent regulation of the pharmaceutical trade. It will also promote transparency and accountability, making it easier for regulatory agencies to monitor the flow of drugs in and out of the state.
The relocation of the Ọgbọ ogwu market will also help reduce the congestion and chaotic conditions that have long plagued Onitsha’s drug market. By providing a more structured environment, the new market will enable traders to operate in compliance with established standards and guidelines, thereby promoting the growth of a legitimate and sustainable pharmaceutical sector.
Furthermore, the move is expected to improve the overall reputation of Onitsha as a trading hub. As the largest market in Africa for pharmaceutical products, Onitsha plays a vital role in the regional and international distribution of medicines. By modernizing and formalizing the market, Soludo’s government aims to attract more investments, create job opportunities, and elevate the state’s position as a leader in the pharmaceutical trade.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s plan to establish a centralized wholesale drug centre in Oba and relocate the Ọgbọ ogwu market to a more regulated space is a landmark initiative aimed at combating the widespread problem of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria. By centralizing the pharmaceutical trade and enforcing stricter regulations, the state hopes to reduce the availability of fake medicines and ensure that only safe, effective drugs are sold to consumers.
The Governor’s actions, along with his call for federal intervention, demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing a critical issue that affects millions of Nigerians. As the search for counterfeit drugs continues and the new wholesale drug centre takes shape, it is clear that the government is committed to tackling the problem head-on and creating a safer, more reliable pharmaceutical environment for the people of Anambra and Nigeria as a whole.
