Soludo Urges FG To Halt Flow Of Counterfeit Drugs Into Onitsha Market

Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, has called on the federal government to step up its efforts in preventing the importation and distribution of counterfeit drugs.

In a post on X on Sunday, Soludo raised concerns about globally banned drugs making their way into Nigeria due to lapses in enforcement by regulatory agencies.

His statement follows a recent operation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which uncovered illicit drugs hidden inside plumbing material shops at the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market.

The market had been sealed due to ongoing investigations into the sale of fake and controlled substances.

During a visit to the Ọgbọ ogwu market in Onitsha, Soludo described the situation as alarming and urged federal authorities to address the issue at the supply level.

“Many of these drugs have been banned globally, yet they are still being manufactured in India, smuggled through various ports, and sold in our local drug markets. Only the relevant authorities can explain how this happens,” he said.

The governor emphasized the need to clear the market of counterfeit products to enable its reopening.

He also announced that his administration is constructing a “coordinated wholesale drug center” in Oba, Idemili South LGA, to establish a more regulated drug distribution system and eliminate the chaotic trade environment that allows counterfeit drugs to thrive.