In a decisive move to combat the proliferation of fake and counterfeit drugs, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has announced the establishment of a Coordinated Wholesale Drug Centre (CWDC) in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area. This state-of-the-art facility will accommodate the relocated and standardised Ọgbọ Ọgwụ drug market, Africa’s largest open pharmaceutical trading hub, currently situated in Onitsha.
Governor Soludo made this revelation during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the Ọgbọ Ọgwụ market and adjoining trading hubs, where regulators had recently uncovered the sale of banned and counterfeit drugs in shops located within a nearby plumbing materials market. The shocking discovery led to the immediate closure of the affected market, further underscoring the urgent need for stricter drug regulations and an overhauled supply chain system.
Speaking on the initiative, Governor Soludo emphasised that the coordinated wholesale drug centre in Oba will serve as the government’s strategic intervention in the chaotic pharmaceutical market, ensuring proper standardisation, quality control, and regulatory compliance.
“As a government, we are already building a coordinated wholesale drug centre in Oba, Idemili South LGA. This will accommodate the new, standardised Ọgbọ Ọgwụ market, bringing order to the chaotic environment where fake and counterfeit drugs thrive,” Soludo stated.
He reaffirmed Anambra’s position as Africa’s largest trading hub, vowing to elevate Onitsha’s status to even greater economic heights.
In a statement shared on his verified X handle on Saturday evening, Soludo raised critical concerns about how banned drugs from India continue to flood Nigeria’s markets despite existing regulations. He questioned the weak enforcement at seaports and airports, urging the Federal Government to tighten border controls and implement stricter monitoring across the entire pharmaceutical supply chain.
“Right inside these shops, regulators found cartons of counterfeit and controlled drugs, many of which have been banned globally. The big question remains: How do these drugs, which are outlawed both locally and internationally, still get manufactured in India, slip through our ports, and infiltrate our local drug markets? This is an issue the relevant authorities must urgently address,” he declared.
Governor Soludo assured legitimate traders at the plumbing materials market that investigations into the illegal drug sales would be fast-tracked, allowing them to resume business within 10 days.
“While we must rid our country of fake and counterfeit drugs, it is equally crucial for the Federal Government to crack down on the source of these illicit pharmaceuticals. I have directed that the ongoing search operations be expedited so that in less than 10 days, legitimate traders can return to business,” he added.
The planned Coordinated Wholesale Drug Centre in Oba marks a transformational step in the fight against fake and substandard drugs, aligning with global best practices in pharmaceutical distribution and regulation. If successfully implemented, this initiative will not only protect public health but also strengthen Anambra’s economy by reinforcing trust in its pharmaceutical trade sector.
Governor Soludo’s proactive stance sends a strong signal that Anambra will no longer be a haven for counterfeit drugs, setting a precedent for other states to follow in ensuring a safer and more regulated drug market in Nigeria.
PIONEER NEWS 