By Deborah Nnamdi
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has finally relented to mounting pressure and agreed to reopen the renowned Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, just a month after its closure to address the issue of fake and counterfeit drugs.
Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, announced after a brief meeting with state government officials, led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, and market leaders at the market premises on Thursday.
He explained that the market’s reopening was a result of persistent efforts by the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
Iluyomade emphasized that the market would reopen on Friday, based on an agreement between the state government, market leaders, and NAFDAC to prevent the sale of fake, expired, and substandard products.
He praised Governor Soludo for his ongoing support in the fight against counterfeit and expired drugs in Anambra State and across the nation, urging traders to sell only approved and registered drugs moving forward.
According to Iluyomade, “During the enforcement exercise that lasted for over three weeks, the agency under my watch uncovered a 50-trailer load of fake and expired drugs, a large volume of narcotics capable of destabilizing the country, and also a large number of drugs banned since 2007.
“The reopening of the market will not stop the continuous enforcement exercise. A total of 4,000 shops have been sealed for various offenses, and they will be reopened after proper profiling.
“The confiscated fake and expired drugs are worth no less than N1 trillion. We commend the leadership of the market for working with the agency throughout the operations.”
In his brief remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Obidike, while appreciating the agency on behalf of the governor, urged the traders to respect the NAFDAC agreement by sticking to the regulation’s standard.
